Dating people online has certainly gotten a bad reputation over the years. Online dating is infamous for two things: 1) stalking and child molesters and 2) being really lame. While both of these objections have their merits, online dating can also be a very positive experience.

First, you do have to understand that there are a lot of perverts online. Because people think the Internet is anonymous (it's not), they think they can say and do what they want. Since you can say you are 15 years old when you're 30, there is no guarantee that the person you're talking to is who they say they are.

But while this can be dangerous, it can also be fun-- people only know what you tell them. So, if you're always made fun of at school for some embarassing mistake you made, or the way you look-- once you go online, nobody knows that anymore. And that's a great feeling, and can be a very positive experience-- you get to know people, and people get to know you, without any of the baggage of the past.

People who say all online dating is lame probably haven't tried it. Besides, there are plenty of lame dates in the "real" world. Relationships don't have to be about going places and doing stuff together; a healthy relationship can happen whereever conversations are possible between two people.