VIRTUAL dating has become the norm for many singletons whose love lives were put on hold for the better part of this year as a result of lockdown.
The study, commissioned by Virgin Media, also found that in addition to first impressions, virtual dating speeds up relationships on several accounts.Virtual dates soared by 36 per cent during lockdownWhat's more, virtual dating is cheaper too, saving singletons £18 per date - with the removal of time and cost barriers giving daters more bang for their buck.
The research also found that 55 per cent of 1,000 daters surveyed felt their virtual relationships blossom much faster than they would in person.Credit: Oliver DixonA third of singletons are also less likely to date multiple people digitally at once than they might have done previously. Cilesta Van Doorn from Virgin Media said: “The internet has been at the heart of building relationships for years, but thanks to the ‘new normal’, digital dating has opened up a world of possibilities for those looking for love and meaningful connections online.
If you were out at a bar or bistro, you wouldn’t let your mates invade your date and take over the talking, so pop your mobile or laptop on Do Not Disturb to avoid being interrupted by streams of pings, dings, WhatsApps and texts.Credit: Getty Images - GettyAnother plus-point about video dating is that you can arrange a short and sweet 15 minute “taster” call the first time you chat to someone, so you’re not committed to feigning interest for hours if they turn out not to be a match.