This was made for FILM 260, a course at Queen's University.

1. Online Dating: Progressions
Through Technology & The
21st Century Relationship
By Lauren A. Johnston
Photo by ArdinhasaPhotography (Flickr)
Friday, 17 May, 13

2. Society is in an era that is
markedly different from its
predecessors because of one
strong force:
Photo by Virtual3 (Flickr)
technology.
Friday, 17 May, 13

3. Photo by Chapendra (Flickr)
Different technologies, specifically the internet,
have changed the ways in which people
communicate on a daily basis.
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4. One of the areas that has been
significantly affected by this shift is
the realm of online relationships -
specifically romantic relationships.
Photo by Michael Gil
(Flickr)
Friday, 17 May, 13

5. Photo by JONESING1 (Flickr)
Online dating sites are useful for many
because they ease some discomfort in
dating. It is often less intimidating to
message someone online rather than
approach them in person.
Friday, 17 May, 13

6. Photo by Craig. (Flickr)
The goal for
most users is to
find a long-term
relationship as
opposed to
more casual
forms of dating.
But, there are
specific
websites
catered to this
as well.
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7. Crafting an online
profile has
become an
artform in itself.
For most, there is
an ample amount
of detail put into
creating these
profiles.
Photo by thisisbossi (Flickr)
Friday, 17 May, 13

8. The internet allows people to
quickly and conveniently
communicate with thousands of
people worldwide with similar
hobbies, interests and personalities.
Photo by Charley Lhasa (Flickr)
Friday, 17 May, 13

9. Within a few
clicks, a
person can
broaden or
narrow
potential
matches
based on
whichever
criteria they
decide are
important to
them.
Photo by mahb (Flickr)
Friday, 17 May, 13

10. Photo by DENISE T. (FLICKR)
This allows the ‘dating process’ to accelerate. The
user determines which attributes they want in a
partner, and then get a broad overview of the
person on a profile.
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11. Like a résumé, the online dating profile is
often an ‘amped up’ abstract of the
potential partner. Users highlight their
best features in order to attract others.
Photo by Bixentro (Flickr)
Friday, 17 May, 13

12. This translates into more than just words in text boxes - a profile
picture is arguably more important, as it is the first impression
that other users have of the person. Photo by Akane Kinomoto (Flickr)
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13. Studies show that
most people
expect
photographs of
potential partners
to be authentic
because of the
anticipated face-
to-face
interaction...
Photo by Susan Sermoneta
(Flickr)
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14. ... but there is also evidence
that users recognize that
photographs can be ‘self-
enhancing’ and editable.
Photo by TyMotion (Flickr)
Source: Hancock & Toma, 2009
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15. Impression management is crucial. Putting their
best face (or profile) forward could be the
difference between a sparse or full inbox, and
maximizing outcomes (dates) is usually the goal.
Photo by William Hartz (Flickr)
Friday, 17 May, 13

16. Strong relationships are built on communication and trust.
Photo by Thomas Leuthard (Flickr)
People desire to feel understood and cared for by
romantic partners - so, how does this come into play online?
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17. There are
sufficient
challenges that
take place in
online
relationships,
especially
those over
long distances.
Photo by LIQUENE (Flickr)
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18. Depending on the distance
and how often the couple
meets up, there is a lack of
intimacy and ‘genuine’ face-to-
face contact.
Photo by Denise Mayumi (Flickr)
Friday, 17 May, 13

19. But, messages
exchanged online
gradually escalate
over time when
participants have
built a strong
enough bond, the
type of technology
used can change.
Photo By Martin Gommel (Flickr)
Friday, 17 May, 13

20. The shift from dating
site to main social
networking site
demonstrates a
sense of progression
in the relationship
where the user allows
the (potential)
partner to be
integrated into the
user’s exterior social
network.
Photo by David Delaney (Flickr)
Friday, 17 May, 13

21. Photo by mervi eskelinen (flickr)
The interactions may be
relocated to email
conversations, and
eventually friending on
personal social networking
accounts - like a
Facebook profile that the
user uses to speak to
friends and family.
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22. Videochat platforms such as
Skype and FaceTime allow for
more intimate conversations in
the online world - complete with
voice and facial expression.
Photo by Joe Philipson (Flickr)
Friday, 17 May, 13

23. These technologies make the
distance between many online
relationships smaller.
Photo by thejourney1972 (Flickr)
Friday, 17 May, 13

24. Some say that e-relationships
provide for a deeper and more
emotional relationship than offline
ones.
Photo by Kevin Dooley (Flickr)
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25. Photo by Derriel Street Photography (Flickr)
“An estimated 30 to 40 million
North Americans now use
online dating sites...
... we will reach a point where people don’t distinguish between
meeting online and off line... we won’t refer to online dating, it will
just be dating.” - Dan Slater
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26. Photo by Viktor Hertz (Flickr)
Source: Anson Alexander
52% of online
daters are men,
48% women.
Online dating is a $1 Billion business, with the average
user spending about $239 a year on online dating.
Source: Anson Alexander
Friday, 17 May, 13

27. But, if the goal for online (long distance) relationships is to end in
marriage or at least have a long-term duration, the odds are in
the couple’s favour.
Photo by ANNAJhk (FLICKR)
Friday, 17 May, 13

28. The internet has
made it possible
for thousands of
couples to start
relationships
worldwide, while
‘decreasing the
distance’ for
long-distance
couples, whether
the relationship
started online or
off.
Photo by Ken Bosma (Flickr)
Friday, 17 May, 13

29. Although they may begin in a virtual world, these
relationships are becoming more socially acceptable
and a key method in which people meet romantic
partners.
Whether long-term or short, the internet and the various stems of
technology have undeniably changed the face of dating in the
21st century...
Photo by Tristan Schnurr (Flickr)
Friday, 17 May, 13

30. The Following Articles were used for statistics, information and inspiration for this
presentation:
- http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/01/30/true-loves/ (quotes taken from Dan Slater in this
article)
- http://ansonalex.com/infographics/statistics-for-online-dating-in-2013-infographic/ (Anson
Alexander)
- http://faculty.unlv.edu/drums/pioneer/files/JOUR%20435%20635/photosonlinedating.pdf
(Hancock & Toma, 2009)
All photos in this presentation were
used under a Creative Commons
License and sourced from Flickr.
Friday, 17 May, 13