We cannot deny that Meetic has been a great success; it is the most popular European online dating service with a turnover of 115 millions euros in 2007. The most used dating website in Europe has as its main competitor is the internationally reputed company, Match.com. The launch of this type of website in Europe has introduced the European citizen to a new way of communication and means of meeting that special ‘someone'. However, this modern means of communicating can pose a threat due to certain individuals whose intentions are far from looking for a potential relationship.
All these facts bring us to the point that the creation of Meetic is nothing short of a phenomenon and that's why we will ponder over the reasons for this success and its consequences. Throughout this file, we will try to present this phenomenon by answering the question: what are the reasons behind Meetic's success?
Initially, we will present the evolution of this new means of finding love; subsequently, we will handle the various aspects of this phenomenon, and finally, the unforeseen outcomes of this phenomenon.
For several years now, most French people, and Europeans, in general, consider the prospect of forging relationships, be it with a friend, a romantic partner, or a like-minded business associate, more challenging than ever. Indeed, 60% of women feel it has become considerably difficult to strike up new a friendship. According to a survey realized by TNS Sofres in 2004, women, people aged above 30, and workers find it more difficult to meet someone new and effectively sustain that relationship.
[...] This means that Europe will outpace the USA in the next few years. The European countries which represent the most numerous users are the United Kingdom, Germany and France. On the French market, the turnover in this sector has been estimated at 70 million euros in 2007. The main international competitor is Match.com in terms of subscriptions. This subsidiary of the giant group IAC has been present on the market since 1995 with a turnover of 232 million euros in 2006. [...]
[...] The Internet is a handy solution to such woes as it is not restricted by time constraints and effectively broadens the range of people one can meet. With the whole world tuned in to the Internet, meeting someone who shares the same set of interests or ideology has now becoming easier than ever. People seeking to meet potential life partners are no longer restricted by geographical boundaries. Dating websites are no longer shunned by people; indeed, it is now a popular platform for meeting people. [...]
[...] The web is crawling with people whose intentions are to prey on guileless users either for sexual or financial gains. As the online world is a domain largely unregulated, the chances of tracking down cybercrimes such as online harassment is remote and most perpetrators go scot-free. These anti-social elements seek refuge in the cover of anonymity provided by the web and are emboldened to carry out their activities in the knowledge that rarely will they be brought to book. Sexual offences Pornography It is a means of diffusion and transmission of pornographic pictures or movies; sexual perverts often share through blogs, forums or websites some links containing some pornographic items. [...]
[...] The organized online meeting is not a taboo anymore because it fulfils the basic need for socializing and encourages exchanges between people. On the other hand, dating websites remain to be wholly embraced by most women, retired people and the working class. The net surfers who visit dating websites have a good image owing to their modern outlook and open- mindedness. Although some may seem reticent initially, they are not bashful or wary of striking up conversations with total strangers in the hope of striking it rich. [...]
[...] Once he has these financial details, it is easy for him to manipulate credit cards and the financial transactions of the victim. Internet as a meeting place for radical groups or associations The introduction of websites, like Meetic, has led to the creation of diverse associations between like-minded people. Although this type of communitarism does not pose a risk as such, the formation of groups whose ideology is socially skewed and potentially detrimental to the overall social fabric is an issue which cannot be relegated to the back burner. [...]
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