What Is Edating and How Does It Work?

It’s no secret that technology has thoroughly changed the way that our lives operate on a daily basis. Technology has become how we communicate with each other, make money to pay our bills, and entertain ourselves. It has also changed the way that we date.

Research indicates that more than 44.2 million Americans used online dating services in 2020. It’s estimated that these numbers could increase to 53.3 million by 2025. 

Online dating is responsible for tens of thousands of weddings every year. It can be a wonderful tool for lonely people who are tired of being single. However, that doesn’t mean that you should dive in head first. 

Remember that your personal information is at risk whenever you're online, so you need to be careful. Everyone that you match with is a stranger and should be treated as such. Make sure that you are properly protecting yourself whenever you dive into online dating. 

What Is Edating?

Edating is a bit of an umbrella term for becoming romantically involved with someone that you first met online. In most cases, you’ll exchange text, instant, or direct messages for a while before moving to calls or video chats. If the two of you really hit it off, then a physical date will follow and traditional dating methods will become the standard.

There are a few reasons why Edating has become such a popular option for single people. 

For one thing, it’s really easy to get started. All you have to do is download your app of choice, create an account, and fill out your profile. Within 15 minutes, you can be scouring the internet for your potential soulmate. Best of all, you don’t even have to pay for a subscription unless you want to unlock extra features. 

Another crucial benefit is that it’s impossible to beat the convenience of Edating. Instead of having to go out to a bar and hoping to meet someone, you can sit back, watch some TV, and scroll away. You could find your future spouse while you are laying on your couch in sweatpants and mindlessly browsing Netflix. 

Lastly, Edating helps you to quickly eliminate people that you’re not compatible with. Each app has various filters that can help you narrow down exactly who you’re looking for. Instead of wasting your time on an awkward blind date, Edating will allow you to connect with people that are your preferred type. 

There are over 1,500 dating sites, and some of them are designed only for specific groups such as seniors, farmers, the LGBTQ community, Muslims, gym gurus, or a ton of other options. 

How Does Edating Work?

As of April 2021, the top three dating apps in the United States are Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge. Each of these dating apps works in a similar way. You’ll create a profile that includes physical information about yourself (age, height, etc.), biographical information (politics, religion, etc), and information about your hobbies and interests. 

These questions are personal, but the idea is to match with people that either have similar views or acceptable ones. If you are a deeply religious person who loves camping and wants children, then it wouldn’t make sense to be paired with an atheist that hates the outdoors and doesn’t want children. 

Another important step is to post a few pictures of yourself. Although it might feel shallow, physical attraction is an important part of dating. To match with someone, you’ll need to literally pass the “eye test.” It’s important to use a relatively current picture. You may have looked incredible back in high school, but posting that picture when you’re 38 will only cause problems.

All of the above information about your potential matches will be available to you via the other profiles on the app. You can set your preferences to filter out accounts with your specific deal breakers. After that, you’ll be presented with randomized profiles and have two options. Swipe the profile left (which means that you’re not interested) or swipe the profile right (which means that you are interested). 

A notification will appear if both of you have swiped right on each other’s profiles. The exact rules may vary depending on the app that you use, but both of you will be informed of the match. One of you will message the other and then it’s just a question of whether sparks fly or not. 

What Are the Downsides of Edating?

In a perfect world, Edating would be an excellent tool for developing long lasting and meaningful relationships. Unfortunately, this world is far from perfect, and Edating rarely comes with a fairy tale ending. 

Edating will open you up to a much larger dating pool, and that can mean you encounter nasty people. People can be cruel in general, but dating apps often bring out the worst in people. There isn’t much emotion in online dating, and physical attraction is a major factor. You’ll be opening yourself up to potential harassment by joining a dating app. 

That’s not even mentioning the criminal element that lurks on dating apps. Edating related scams have steadily risen over the years as scammers use any opportunity to get your personal information. You’ll need to take a few precautions to keep your online data safe from cyber criminals.

Remember to keep a level head if you do match with someone and hit it off. Although your match may seem like the person you’ve been waiting your entire life for, they are still a complete stranger. Make sure that you are treating the situation as cautiously as you should.

You should propose a video chat before you physically meet up so that you know the person is the same as the person in their pictures. It’s also a good idea to meet in a public place during the day without alcohol involved. Be sure to tell your friends and family where the date will be and the name of the person that you’re meeting. 

When it comes to Edating, there is no such thing as being “too careful.”

Protect Yourself With a Second Number

Edating is a very effective way to meet singles in your area and pursue meaningful relationships or casual fun. Just make sure that you are taking the proper precautions to keep yourself far from harm’s way. 

Downloading the Burner app is an excellent way to avoid some of the potential downsides of Edating. By using a second phone number, you’ll be able to establish another barrier between you and any creeps, stalkers, trolls, or hackers. 

Visit Burner today to start a free seven day trial and to learn more about how to stay safe while Edating. 

Sources:

Online Dating Scams Are on the Rise | USA Today

Why Physical Attraction Matters, and When It Might Not | Psychology Today

What is Online Dating? | Penn State University

Online Dating and Dating App Safety Tips | RAINN