Online dating is defined as "the practice of seeking a romantic or sexual partner on the Internet, typically via a dedicated website" (Oxford). As of 2012, there were approximately 1,500 different dating sites in the United States and thousands more around the world. The most common dating sites are Match.com, Adultfriendfinder.com, christianmingle.com, Zoosk.com, and eHarmony.com. There are others depending on the user's interests, such as Cams.com is for those who like to communicate via camera, Gay.com is for those interested in other gay singles, Blacksingle.com is for those interested in other singles blacks and Seniorpeoplemeet.com is for the older person looking for that particular other in their age group. All dating sites may differ a lot or somewhat, but they all have the same concept. The concept of joining matching singles. Online Dating exposes the differences between modern and traditional dating, and shows how dating has evolved over the times. While online dating has become increasingly popular, it's unclear whether it's safer than traditional dating. People use this website to communicate with each other using email, chat and other services such as video. Usually, after chatting for a certain period of time, users tend to meet up. Online dating is a modern phenomenon and helps expand users' network to find a potential partner, which can help people lead successful marriages, but also has negative outcomes that people need to be aware of. There are many differences between modern dating and traditional dating. Traditionally people date by meeting someone on the street, in the workplace, at school, in newspaper personal ads, in dating agencies and at dating events. In 1702 the......middle of paper......became very popular and helped many people reunite and start new and beautiful lives together. With all the good there must also be the bad. Dating sites also pose a potential risk. My advice to people who find themselves on these sites is that before you go out meet up with someone you just met. They should Google them or a background check company. Just to make sure they aren't crazy or sick. Online dating with its success has proven to be one of the major tools used in modern times to start a meaningful relationship. In life, people spend their whole life looking for their loved one and often have difficulty finding love, but online dating can help all these people find their perfect partner and lead them to get married and live a happy life in a new way that was not always possible with traditional types of dating.