Finding Companionship Online
Jane Thrall
With fewer options available for indoor recreation and socializing , it may seem that the pandemic is putting up barriers for meeting new people . If you haven ’ t tried online dating , now may be the perfect time to give it a go .
Whether you ’ re looking for a friendship , a new romance , or just an opportunity to network , the internet is one of the most popular places to make new acquaintances .
Online dating sites first appeared in 1995 in North America and quickly became popular among people hoping to meet their perfect match . Not surprisingly , they have become ubiquitous in today ’ s fast-paced society , with over 1.7 million users in Canada alone .
According to one dating site , thirty-six per cent of Canadians have used an online dating site and fifty-four per cent of those users are men . Twenty per cent of today ’ s committed relationships began online .
Statista reports that 11.4 per cent of online daters are aged 55 to 64 . Two out of three use non-paying sites , while one third pay for premium features or customized matchmaking services .
I ’ ve tried a couple of dating sites with mixed success , but some of my friends are avid users . The top five dating sites in Canada are available pretty much everywhere , but there are a number of smaller , lesser-known sites that cater to specific genres such as religion , political beliefs , professions , or hobbies . There are several sites that specifically cater to people over 50 years of age .
Which online site you choose will depend on what you ’ re looking for in a relationship , as well as where you ’ re located . It may take a few tries to find the best online community for your needs . Other than through word of mouth , the best way to find out if there really are “ hot singles in your area
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