A note of caution. A young friend had a wonderful relationship, thru tinder, that ended when she discovered he was married. As in all things online, you can’t necessarily trust the information posted.
I think that kind of tale is as old as time and could happen any way two people meet. If someone wants to deceive, they can do so in person or online.
Of course, but it is harder to do if being introduced thru mutual friends. Easier to accomplish online with fewer chances for discovery.
I honestly don’t know anyone my age… or even close to my age… who is still really wary of online dating.
It’s just a fact of life with my generation. No stigma.
Tinder requires a facebook. Facebook creep on someone before you meet them. Everyone does and it’s a great way to find red flags.
Now where I would be wary is if the person you’re talking to claims to not have any social media or the social media account they give you is an obvious throwaway. Sure, they may really not have any social media but the odds are low.
Or even older. My parents’ best friends met through online dating about 10 years ago. They are both widow(er)s, now in their 80s, and living together for the past 5 years.
@doschicos good point. I can’t think of anyone my parents’ age who isn’t for it. (No grandparents around so I’m not sure about that generation.)
If I was single, I’d be turning to the internet. Especially since I’m not really friends with any straight/bi single men or gay single women.
And the last thing I want to do is go to local bars and run into my undergrads 
I have no problem with online dating at all, but as in all things, caveat emptor. Between the middle school girls posting sexy profiles pretending to be 23 ( Yes, I know a bunch of them) and the married creeps, it is always wise to exercise good judgment.
^ This is why you facebook creep. Look through old pictures. Look at the people they seem to be close friends with. I’m betting not every one of those "middle school girls"s friends also look like they’re 23.
And if anything seems off, trust your instincts.
That may work for now-having an active Facebook account is almost unheard of in the under 20 set. The good news is if they really do have a valid one, they are probably safe to date! At least age-wise.
A retired woman I was talking to online suddenly wanted to meet me for a first date. I asked her if she was sure about it, and she replied that she had googled me and I checked out.
So I googled her. Google and mace go together like arsenic and old lace.
My sister met her now husband on an online forum for a German soccer team that she follows. He lives in Germany. They went back and forth for 2 years and just had their German civil marriage with a religious celebration scheduled here in June. She is 38. My husbands former supervisor met someone online, dated, married and 2 children later are very happy. It is not easy to meet people in your 30’s.