The BBC in the United Kingdom has reported a university Professor’s claim that internet dating “empowers women.”

Professor Helen Petrie, of City University, London, said: "There are people who lack interpersonal social skills and would find it very difficult to meet people in bars.  They may find it easy to meet in an internet room, but they still have the problem of meeting them face to face and if they have gone too far with the internet relationship, they may find that traumatic."

Online dating can also allow people to ask questions they may usually find awkward.  

A Suesie Glagow (sic) knew she was in control – so much so that she specified up-front that she was only interested in a partner wanting children.  “This is my CV and (that she didn’t) need to make excuses for it”
"If you were dating, you would need to let some time go by before you approached that kind of thing.”

"You need to be careful because it gives you that liberation and there's a danger of feeling like you know someone, just because you're writing to them, which is usually a personal thing to do.”
Paula Blewett, who met her boyfriend Douglas online, said “As a woman you are more confident and you can come across as sharp and witty because it's not a rapid response conversation, like in a bar.  Everyone can sound like a raconteur on the internet."

Graham Freeman, who celebrated his ‘Iron’ wedding anniversary this year, met his wife, Debbie on the net late in the last millennium, and is now facing that notorious seventh year (said to be itchy), asserted “You’re in complete control.”

“The person cannot read your body language, so if you're a bit cautious and don't want to jump in feet first, you don't have to."
The Professor said people can be drawn into the web and may find sometimes their interest is misinterpreted.

She added: "I've heard of some relationships breaking down because of people meeting others on the internet. But I think that's as likely to happen in the office or the pub or whatever."

The BBC offers these tips:

Don't divulge personal details
Tell a friend if you are meeting up
Meet in a public place
Leave if you feel uncomfortable
Use the net as one option - don't be consumed by it
The proof of the internet’s seductiveness was demonstrated by a BBC Radio 5 Live investigation in August this year which found six women had fallen in love with one man online.