Online dating was introduced to a mass audience with the 1998 film, "You've got mail!" This was, perhaps, the first movie to portray two people conducting a relationship entirely online before meeting each other face-to-face. We, as a society, have come a long way since that movie with the introduction of high-tech cyber-dating.

There are a myriad of websites that cater to folks looking for that elusive soul mate. The process involved in meeting someone online varies from site to site. The basic process for meeting another person online is for you to sign on to an online dating site by entering a user name and password that applies only to you and then filling out a profile page.

Your profile can contain any personal or professional details you would like to share within the site guidelines. Your information is then entered into the site database and users have various ways of accessing your profile just as you have access to their profiles. You can then search for potential partners by age, gender, location and shared interests.

Online dating services enable individuals to meet via the web in order to strike up real life romantic relationships and the myriad of sites cater to nearly every taste. You name it, you are likely to find a site that serves your needs.

Even while many sites are specialized, you will still need to practice diligence and caution. Be cautious of sites that offer their matchmaking services for free. You may think this is a good idea but think again.

Free sites do not usually offer the in-depth analysis of prospects as do paid sites. The top sites are usually those that charge a fee. They usually require all prospects to take a scientific survey before being allowed membership. They offer a level of protection that free sites may not.

A downside of online dating is you may open yourself to hundreds of unsolicited email messages. There will be many people asking for your email address in order to continue your relationship privately, that is, away from the online dating site. Don't fall for this. Stay in communication through the dating sites until you are absolutely sure of the person on the other end.

Scammers will use your email to flood you with unsolicited emails. You may want to get a free email account to use solely for your online dating communication. You can always delete it if you become a victim of unwanted emails.

Online dating sites are even used by all manner of con artists. Some sites do not have adequate security measures in place. These sites have no way of verifying the true identity of members. So, don't jump into a relationship in a hurry. Keep it friendly and casual until you know for certain that the person you find attractive is real.

On rare occasions, a female who has met up with a male via online dating has been assaulted. Know how to defend yourself. There are many good reasons, even outside of online dating, to take a self-defense course. One good safety tip is to have someone go with you to that first date and simply observe from a distance to make sure all is going according to plan. It's better to be safe than make yourself vulnerable.

Provided that you always proceed with caution and take the necessary steps to keep yourself safe you should not have any serious problems with your dating experiences. There are definitely dangers associated with online dating but there are also ways to avoid them. On that word of caution, if you have been reluctant to go online and meet someone, put your fear aside and live a little.

Internet dating is the current hot trend because of the busy lives of most people. It works because it's convenient. There are thousands of happy couples who would not be together if it was not for this new medium of meeting people. In fact, two women in my wife's workplace both found mates on line and both are living happily.

With the current success in online dating, online dating is experiencing a growth that is so huge, no one could have predicted it. With everything form Goth dating sites to 30-plus dating sites, there is an online dating site for everyone.

While there is much more you should learn before taking the leap, online dating just may be the safest way to meet that special someone.