The Top 5 "Myths and Truths" About Online Dating for 50-Plus Singles

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Even with countless singles joining online dating sites every day, many people are still unsure about this method of meeting. Today OurTime.com, the largest online dating community catering to singles over 50, announced the top five most common misconceptions about online dating. To debunk the myths and learn the truth, site staff turned to OurTime.com's official Relationship Expert, Dr. Gail Saltz.

"Many singles over 50 are either afraid to get back into the dating game or believe there is still a stigma attached to online dating," said Dr. Saltz. "We wanted to do some myth-busting and set the record straight. Not only is this one of the most fulfilling times of a person's life, finding a companion to share it with is easier than you might think - especially if you use online dating to your advantage."

Below are the top five "Myths" and corresponding "Truths" about online dating for singles over 50.

(1)  Myth: "Most single people are much younger than me – it's much harder to find people my age."  

Truth: The truth is that there are many more potential mates out there than people think. According to 2010 U.S. Census data, almost 30 percent of the 78 million Baby Boomers are single. Every day, thousands of those single Boomers venture online to find companionship. And unlike the average social event or stroll through the grocery store, everyone in an online dating setting is single and looking to meet someone.  

(2)  Myth: "I should wait to join a dating site until I'm ready to get married again."

Truth: The 50-plus singles polled in a recent national survey tend to be less interested in marriage than they are in companionship and long-term relationships. Helping to relieve the pressure to marry is the fact that singles in this stage of life are generally free of the expectations of child rearing and career advancement. This allows them to approach dating from a more relaxed perspective. Their main objective is simply to live life to the fullest, and to find someone to share the good times with.

(3)  Myth: "Online dating is risky."

Truth: Dr. Saltz tells singles that whether they met online or in the real world, keeping a few simple tips in mind will ensure a safe and positive experience. For starters, always meet in public and drive yourself to and from the first few meetings; tell a friend about your plans for the date; Google your date's name in advance to see what comes up; limit your drinking and don't do anything that would impair your judgment; and finally, listen to your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, just move on. The right person for you is out there somewhere.

(4)  Myth: "Online dating is expensive and takes a lot of time and energy."

Truth: Some of its main advantages are that online dating is efficient, convenient and cost-effective. You can take things at your own pace, from the comfort of your home, at any hour of the day or night. This allows you to expand your pool of potential matches and be in control of when, where and how you meet other singles. Membership costs at OurTime.com average less than $5 dollars per week. That's less than many people spend on coffee!

Meeting interesting new people and finding a romantic partnership are great ways to support one's overall health and happiness (read: increase energy!). A whopping 97 percent of OurTime.com users agree that romantic relationships are good for one's health. And 93 percent agree that having a romantic relationship is an important part of overall happiness.

(5)  Myth: "People will judge me if they know I am dating online."

Truth: These days, everyone knows someone who met their mate online. And the results are often extremely positive: one in five new relationships and one in six new marriages began with an Internet date. In the last year, the number of dating site users 50 years of age or older has grown twice as rapidly as any other age group (comScore). The OurTime.com community has experienced astonishing membership growth of more than 400 percent over the last two years, becoming the leader in 50-plus dating. Almost 10,000 people join each day. Friends and family will be thrilled to learn that you are actively seeking companionship, in a new way that works for you.  

About OurTime.com

OurTime.com is an online dating community uniting more than one million singles ages 50-plus, among the fastest-growing demographics in the market. The site provides a premier experience tailored to the unique needs of those over 50, helping them to easily connect with likeminded singles. Each day, almost 10,000 new members sign up, more than 500,000 communications are exchanged, and hundreds of singles credit the site with introducing them to someone special. For more information, visit http://www.ourtime.com.

About People Media

People Media, a business unit of IAC, is the number-one provider of targeted online dating communities for singles seeking meaningful relationships. These specialty sites provide a customized experience for those who wish to date within a specific demographic. A rapidly growing innovator in the online dating space, the company operates 28 individual web properties including BlackPeopleMeet.com and SingleParentMeet.com. The flagship site, OurTime.com, was created by combining the membership of People Media's SeniorPeopleMeet.com and SeniorsMeet.com. With more than one million active members, OurTime.com is now the largest online community catering to singles over 50. The company is based in West Hollywood, California.

SOURCE OurTime.com