I've forgotten the precise percentage, but for all the negativity on this thread the number of relationships that started on line has been increasing over the years and I think it's now nearly half of all marriages in the US. Certainly if you want a love story, that's how I met my husband (celebrating 9 years of marriage, 12 of being a couple this year). You have to sift through the frogs to find a prince, but you do have to do a lot of that in "real life" as well.

I'd say the best route for on-line stuff is follow your own instincts but (and this is the important part) don't take it too seriously. And (and this is also important) stay safe by always finding out as much as you can about the other person, not giving away anything crucial (like a real phone number or address) until you're 150% sure you've got a good'un and ensuring that at least one other sane adult knows what you're up to.

Good luck, Claire!