In our increasingly computer-mediated lives, looking for love online has become commonplace. The thought that the love of your life could be mere clicks away has resulted in an explosion of dating apps and an entirely new culture when it comes to romantic liaisons.
Sean O’Rourke was joined by Senator Catherine Noone, Naomh McElhatton, Director of Digital Education at Smart Global and journalist Tanya Sweeney to talk about how to navigate this new landscape.
Tanya is well-versed in the world of online dating and has written about it extensively, even finding her own success story online.
"I think I’ve paid a mortgage off by going on dates! But I’m really lucky, I’m the beacon of hope here.
"I did manage to find a really great partner from dating online and he is amazing so if anyone’s out there thinking it’s completely hopeless, I’m here to tell you that if you put enough spade work in, it’ll reap the rewards eventually and like you say, I had some terrible, terrible dates!"
Tanya shared how she’d be the victim of catfishing (online daters using a fake photo and information) and how she has dealt with some bizarre abuse following her refusal to be jetted away to London with a man she didn’t know, but it was ultimately worth swiping left to all the frogs to end up with her prince.
Senator Catherine Noone spoke about the importance of appropriate legislation to keep online activity as safe as possible.
"The reality is, and it’s something we have to face up to in many areas of life, that online is life now… People are just online now…
"It’s just a way to meet but there are dangers there…"
"Last week I suggested that we put down an amendment to the Sexual Offenders Amendment bill… and these are only the extreme cases but you legislate for the extreme cases."
Once the necessary precautions are taken, a whole world of possibility can open up. Naomh spoke about one female-driven site that puts the power in the woman’s hands.
"When you go on Bumble… it’s up to the woman to make the first connection… You get to pick and choose who you actually want to talk with…
"One of the key things about having a good banter with somebody, a good conversation, a bit of wit and all of that and I think if it doesn’t happen within the first few sentences it’s easy just to disconnect and move on."
Of course, it’s just not a happily-ever-after type of love that everyone is looking for. Tanya spoke about the contingent of married men she found online.
"I did this feature for the Irish independent… The assignment was to basically find married men on Tinder.
"It took about seven minutes! It was the easiest piece I’d ever written and I basically just matched with a load of people and I went, are you married, and they went, yeah, I am!"
"I admire that honesty with people but the truth of it is there are a lot of married men on Tinder!"
Listen back to the discussion on RTÉ Radio 1 above.
