I was wondering and thinking about this a lot. Do people think that people my age (20-21) use online dating sites? I've never been in a relationship and don't meet a lot of people. I want someone in my life terribly and someone mentioned online dating before. In my mind, I never thought younger people used them? And I have this stigma where it would be embarrassing for me, even though I don't think that it would be embarrassing for anyone else...I'm kind of tipsy now, so I don't want to make a profile at the moment, but what do other people think about this. Is it a good option for me or will I just make a fool of myself?

Hi 20depressed. Well it hasn't work for me. But my is coz there arent any nice looking girls at the site I registered. And 99% wants a non smoker. But u could try n see for urself. Maybe ur country have better looking network. U could register a nickname first n see if u like what they have. As most site need to register before able to see their members. And its free unless u want to contact the member, then u need to pay a fee to do so. Let us know how it goes? Happy dating. :)

How about starting a new hobby, one that gets you out, it could be joining the local theatre group, and art class or join a sports club, even charity work. Find out what is in your area and what you would be interested in doing. The beauty of this is you will be meeting people face to face and that way you do not arrange to meet a lovely 20 year old only to get there and find that they are a 60 year old creep who only wants you for one thing and you end up going home angry and upset.
-----I am very wary of dating sites for that reason.
-----you could get lucky and find someone nice, I hope you do but I would try the hobby route first.

Haha I've been doing online dating on and off since I was 18...now I'm 24 and still single so I guess one would say it hasn't exactly worked in my favour lol. I guess I just haven't met the right person yet.

I've found that a lot of guys (and I've heard some women too) and just moreso on there for casual encounters rather than serious relationships. A lot of men have lied to be about what they want just to try and get into my pants. Pisses me off. I'm a lot more careful these days now. I guess it also depends on what site you go to as to what type of people you will meet.

But for someone who is shy and introverted and has trouble meeting people, like me (and you too I'm assuming), it's a good way to meet people.

Yeah, I've been looking a site recently...don't know if I want to make a profile. I don't know what my 'nickname' should be...idk, for whatever reason, I feel embarrassed about it, but it's not like I'm meeting anyone?

I thought about a new hobby too, but can't seem to get interested in anything because I just want someone to keep me company and show that they care about me...idk.

I've done online dating. The good thing about it is you get to share the "embarrassment" factor, it's not just yours. Unless you both agree on a lie to tell other people then you won't have to worry about it. I've met some good people through it but be careful, not all of them are ideal relationship material.

I've found online dating to be kind of pointless. It maybe was helpful in trying different approaches to women, without having the pressure of doing it in person.

Some people claim that you can find dates through online sites, but I've always found it to be a lot of effort without a lot of payoff. Seems like women have a lot more opportunities to meet men given the dynamics. As a guy you kind of have to just contact everyone and hope that a couple respond. Seems like women gets lots of contacts, and many of them are just browsing or are turned off by being approached by so many married men and what not.

I think getting out, like Molurus said, is much better. As a guy, probably the best place to go if you want to meet women, is a place where you are likely to interact with lots of women and where the ratio is in your favor. Signing up for salsa dancing classes is a pretty good approach, for example. It's almost like salsa dancing classes were invented by a knowledgeable man as a way to meet women, lol. If you find the right class, usually there will be like 2 to 1 women to men, and you'll have a chance to interact with women without any pressure as you are really just learning how to do something together.

Along those lines, I just started taking a yoga class myself. Not a lot of younger women, so it might not work so well for a guy in his early 20's, but there is an excellent ratio. A bit less interaction, though, than dance classes I've taken.

Another thing that REALLY worked great for a friend of mine in college was to sign up for a Women's Studies class. It might not be a good idea for an insecure guy, however. There tends to be a bit of an anti-male attitude, or so I understand. I've never taken one. This friend of mine, though, really kind of used it to his advantage and pretty much became the center of attention by bring in a lot of male rights stuff to the class and took control of it from the female professor, lol. One girl, according to him, started taking his side in all the arguments and I know for a fact they hooked up.

I did meet a girl in my counseling psychology class as an undergrad. That was another class with lots of females and only two males in my case. That didn't really go anywhere, but any class with more women than men and a good amount of interaction is a good idea if you are at the University.

Well, starting next school year, I'll be in a strict program with 10-15 people where we will be doing everything together. I literally won't have a chance to take extra classes then...

I'm taking an art class now with a good girl guy ratio, and I really started to like this one girl that's been talking to me a lot. But she I guess has a boyfriend...really hurt by that, because I thought she liked me...feeling kind of hopeless now and don't know how to meet anyone that would actually like me.

I don't think that age is an issue. I've used online dating sites on and off for the past couple of years and there seems to be a good mix of people of all ages. It's a widely accepted way of meeting other single people so nothing to be ashamed of.

However....

It's not necessarily the best thing if you are a little insecure or easily offended. Most people are responding to your photo and snippets of personal information. Unless you are great looking don't expect to get too many replies to the messages you send. Can you tell I've been there haha? You have to be prepared to send out a lot of emails and it can be hard work. Think of it like door to door sales, 99% will slam the door in your face but if you stick with it long enough someone will talk to you. I'm guessing (hoping) that it's also because many women get fed up with being harassed by the multitude of losers, liars and cheats who inhabit these sites.

It's worth a go but I have to agree with others, getting out and about is a better option and can be enjoyable even if you don't meet someone.