By Kristi Chaney
The issue of online dating is generating varying opinions among college-age students.
The questions of whether or not online connections are successful and whether or not they are safe are debatable.
Jana Sharp, 22, a BYU graduate, said online dating is a mixture of both.
'You have to be careful,' Sharp said. 'There are some online weirdos.'
Sharp has been using online services for a little less than a year.
She recently started using more LDS online services, dedicated to communication between LDS individuals, such as dateLDS.com and LDSsingles.com.
She said her experience has brought her both ups and downs.
'I''ve met some of my best friends online,' Sharp said. 'But I''ve also met some real jerks.'
One of Sharp''s negative experiences happened in January.
Sharp and a friend went out on a group date with an online buddy and a friend of his.
'He was really cool at first,' Sharp said.
Then things started to change.
'He started moving way too fast,' Sharp said. 'And when I wanted to slow down, he''d get upset. He was strictly in it for the physical aspect, so I had to end the relationship.'
Amy Gillespie, director of customer relations at LDSsingles.com, said although situations like this aren''t common, they do happen.
'There are a few people who aren''t as upfront as they should be,' Gillespie said.
'Use common sense,' Gillespie said. ' Be aware of the age and watch for red flags. Don''t assume people are who they say they are.'
Despite the possibility of situations like Sharp''s, online dating remains popular.
Collegeclub.com, one of the college-oriented site available online, has a record high of anywhere between 750,000 visitors and one million visitors every month.
Griffin Davis, president of Collegeclub.com, said the majority of those visitors are primarily interested in e-mails and instant messaging.
LDSsingles.com has experienced between 25,000-30,000 hits a day with a history high of 105,000.
LDSsingles.com President Bob Haupt said the numbers show that there are quite a few success stories.
'We receive anywhere from five to 15 wedding announcements a month from successful online relationships,' Haupt said.
Kendra Shipp, 18, from Apple Valley, Calif., has experienced some of those successes.
Shipp, was used AOL Instant Messenger to meet Kevin from Texas.
'We dated for a year,' Shipp said. 'We did everything from sending pictures to phone calls to e-mails.'
Things went well, until she met Brian online from Long Beach, Calif.
'Kevin and I broke up and have been dating Brian for three months,' Shipp said. 'It''s all turned out pretty good.'
A friend of Shipp''s, Stefanie Tucker, an 18-year-old Von Curtis Hair Academy student from Apple Valley, Calif., said that Shipp was lucky because both individuals were really nice guys, but the online scene is really not for her.
'More power to her as long as she''s careful, but I don''t think I''ll ever do it,' Tucker said. 'It''s kind of scary.'
Steve Ting, 24, a senior majoring in computer science at Stevens-Henegar College has also had success with online services.
Ting first started using online services such as America Online four years ago, and has only had one bad experience.
'I''ve actually been out with people I''ve met online 17 different times,' Ting said. 'One ended up being my Homecoming date.'
Ting is not concerned with safety issues, but did say that generally, women need and usually tend to be a little more cautious than men.
Sharp agreed with Ting, but continues to use online services despite the risks.
'It can be dangerous sometimes,' Sharp said. 'But there are things you can do to protect yourself. If you''re going to meet the person you''ve been chatting with, go on group dates a few times first.'
Haupt had suggestions as well.
'Make sure you''re responsible for your own behavior,' Haupt said. 'Be cautious, more so than in a blind date situation. Protect your privacy and get to know the person first. Also, make use of the ''ignore'' button. If you don''t want to talk to someone, don''t.'