[iSpuds]

Have you ever used an online dating site? What was your motivation to do so? Did you lie or exaggerate on your profile?

I have used an online dating site in the far distant past. At the time I was pretty shy and had a hard time meeting people in person (still do), however I find that I am able to talk more naturally in writing. I don't know if anyone remembers that site Spin the Bottle (or something like that). That's what I used. I never really lied or exaggerated on my profile, but I did withhold information that was either embarrassing or not their business.

Did you actually go on a date with someone you met from the site and what was your experience like? Have you had any traumatic online dating experiences?

In the end I never dated anyone I met from the site. Most of the people I met were pretty awful. However they did have a nice little online community (by stupid teen standards) and I did a lot of socializing that way. I have had traumatic online dating experiences, unrelated to the site, though. When I was about 15 I hooked up with a younger boy and wound up being had (he was seeing multiple girls online). That was when I learned that traditional dating ethics and values hold no weight in online dating.
Some time before that, I had an online fling with a man who turned out to be a predator.

Now that I think about it, the internet is dangerous... :|