Dating online or finding someone to date online has been one of the most popular activities in the last 8 years or so. There are several different kinds of places you can go to in order to find someone including social networks, dating sites, and even better, social dating networks. Social networks include places like Myspace and the ever popular Facebook, but these places are, more or less, sites you can visit that are good for networking on a friend or business side.

Dating sites like Match and PlentyOfFish are more of a dating atmosphere where you can actually sign up for an account and "search" for someone. These usually will ask you to sign up for free accounts but, if you want to actually talk to anyone you have to sign up for a paid membership. However, with social dating networks you get the best of both worlds and it's completely 100% free.

Personally I really like these social dating networks because they are just plain fun! You can involve yourself in activities such as joining chat forums, surveys and even advice sections. Now when you sign up for an account it's all very simple, they ask for the usual user name, name, email address, and sex and birthday questions. Once you sign up for an account you will be able to do everything on the site other members are allowed to do, with no non paid or paid restrictions.

These sites are meant for finding someone you like or finding a date. But they are also great if you are on the shy side of relationships. I found one today that allows you to create a mini me character (a miniCool) and once you do so, you can send it to them via the site (they'll get an email telling them to check the site), or send them a text message with your little miniCool, letting them know you like them.

It's a cute little process to let someone know you fancy them but it doesn't put you right out there like other sites may. It's sort of like the old school "I've got a crush on you" websites like e-crush, but the great thing here is that these clues can be gradual and you can tell as much or as little as you want. Just tell them your hair color to start with and if they don't guess who you are you can add more to your miniCool and so on.

A fun way to flirt! I think this is a great idea for people that want to get out there and get to know people but, they also don't want to just full on throw themselves out there. I suppose in a way it lessens your chances of getting hurt or being embarrassed because Jane or Jake doesn't like you in the same way you may like them.

These sites can be found all over the Internet simply by looking for social dating networks online. Remember it's usually completely free with no restrictions and for me that always makes a site more fun! Good luck, I hope you find someone that you can click with!