Online dating and mating : methodological and personal reflections on our journey

While driving home one night, listening to a mainstream, commercial radio station, I (Danielle) heard an advertisement for an online dating website. I was curious. When I arrived home, I found the website, registered, set up my personal profile, and began my first forays into the world of online dating. I was soon receiving contacts from other members of the website. I was astounded by the spontaneity of it all and the ability to interact with so many people that I could potentially meet in person. This particular website was an adult site, which meant that it was sexually focused, with members listing their sexual preferences along with basic demographic details. After becoming familiar with this website, I soon discovered another major online dating website that was more about dating and less about sex. I was working in public health and completing my masters of public health at that time. These sites and other similar sites I found myself or read about in the media started me thinking about the potential health impacts of online dating and the resultant sexual interactions that could come of the dating. I had been contemplating what I would do for my minor thesis as part of my master's and now I knew" my research topic would be online dating and mating.