The general attitude toward online dating has become much more positive in recent years. What was once viewed as a highly risky activity is now much more commonplace as one in 10 Americans claim to have used an online dating website or mobile dating app according to a new study from the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
In Pew's first study on the subject since 2005, the research firm found that online dating is more prevalent among Americans in their mid-20s through mid-40s. A full 22 percent of people aged 25-34 and 17 percent of those between the ages of 35 and 44 are "online daters," Pew found. What's more, 38 percent of Americans that are single and actively looking for a mate have used online dating at some point to aid in the search.
Of those that have used online dating, 66 percent said they have gone on a date with someone they met through a dating service while 23 percent said they have met a spouse or have developed a long term relationship through such sites.
In terms of attitude toward online dating, 59 percent of respondents agreed with the statement that online dating is a good way to meet people. That's up from just 44 percent who said so in 2005. Elsewhere, 53 percent of Internet users agreed that online dating allows people to find a better match for themselves because they can get to know a lot more people while just 21 percent of those polled believed people who use online dating are desperate.