Tips and faux-pas for dating on the net

It would appear that online dating is continuing its inexorable rise in popularity, maybe even more so as the pressure of recession spreads feelings of doom and loneliness.

Of course, it is not everyone's cup of tea, but there are some people who are interested yet still reluctant to take the plunge into cyberspace in order to find true love.

Perhaps they are scorned lovers who no longer have faith in the opposite sex, perhaps they do not believe in depersonalising the dating experience, or perhaps they are just technophobes.

Either way, Dr John Moore, an esteemed author, educator and counsellor, has issued a range of tips for anyone considering getting involved in an industry which has attracted millions of wide-eyed romantics.

A tech-savvy psychotherapist, Dr Moore currently teaches an online university course on relationships, known to his students as 'Love 101', according to a new report from Chicago-based news provider WLS.

Addressing text messages, he says sending one to ask someone out could come across as "impersonal", while a similar course of action to secure a second date should be approached in advance.

Naturally, having a successful profile is crucial to online dating, and the photo forms a central part of it.

Even if you can't get that perfect shot on your 'good side', Dr Moore says whichever one you pick should be suitable for the eyes of a co-worker, as you never know who may look at your profile.

Mentioning interests and hobbies is an obvious starting point, while outlining what you are after from your date is also a smart move, as long as you don't allude to a desired income bracket.

If you don't want to appear "grade school-ish", then it might be best to avoid winking or poking someone who you are interested in, and the image created by "dissing" an ex is not going to look too favourable.

Moving to social networking sites, Dr Moore suggests that the 'relationship status' page on sites such as Facebook can represent something of a minefield.

People who change it all the time can send out confusing messages, while the last thing you want to see on someone's page you are having some fun with is that they think they're in a relationship.

As a rule of thumb, the expert suggests that seeing a date for a month is a good point to consider changing that little - yet ridiculously powerful - section to 'in a relationship'.

The online dating game, as in the 'real world', is never going to be straightforward, but with patience, persistence and a smart approach, it could lead to a happy ending.