(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-03-11 07:20

Cyber love seems to be a new trend in people's lives, says an article on the website of China Radio International. The following is an excerpt:

According to a survey in January, 32.6 percent of 154,386 people polled said they found their marriage partners on the Internet. This percentage is much higher than those who get married through the introduction of relatives or friends or by placing advertisements.

It shows that marriage through the Internet has become more and more popular.

People may be familiar with the words "cyber love", but when they hear that it could lead to marriage, many still find it difficult to accept. Some people are concerned after reading negative reports about cyber love.

Should we panic or accept the fact that finding partners on the Internet has become a popular way? We think it is more practical for us to accept cyber love.

Although its popularity is based on a survey among netizens, and may not fully reflect reality, the rapid change in ways to find love cannot be denied, and this change is related to today's lifestyles. We do not have the time to meet people because of the pressures of work, and therefore resort to the Internet.

Another recent survey showed that 75.7 percent of respondents believed that "workload and busy lives" were the main obstacles to young people getting to know each other. With job competition being intense, we predict that finding love on the Internet may become even more popular.

It is not good for us to suppress or resist the role played by the Internet. Two things need to be done: first, we should broaden our minds and stop viewing cyber love as strange; second, we should try and make the Internet a healthy platform for friendships.

(China Daily 03/11/2008 page9)