People who have never met are falling in love during lockdown, study finds

Several of those asked admitted that they did miss the lack of physical contact

Some people even said they found dating online was less pressure (Getty Images)

One third of British daters have uttered the words “I love you” to someone they have only ever met online.

The poll of 2,000 adults who are dating found that almost half firmly believe it is possible to find ‘love at first sight’ in the virtual world.

And after an average of 13 successful dates online over the past 10 months, adults looking for love have found a string of ways to keep the romance alive.

Most common online dates have included movie nights and watching TV programmes at exactly the same time as their partner.

Others have done fun quizzes together, listened to music, tasted wine, done workouts and even painting.

The study conducted by contact lense provider Vision Direct found it only takes four online dates before deciding someone is worth pursuing. It seems some of the participants even started and ended a relationship this year without ever meeting in person.

Relationship expert and psychologist, Dr Becky Spelman said: “Dating during lockdown is really good for everyone’s mental and emotional health.

"It’s a welcome reminder that romance, attraction, and love haven’t gone away just because we’re all stuck at home and those are all things we need more of."

She added: “Dating someone new during lockdown is one of the most positive things that anyone can do.

"In our online, interconnected world, there are endless possibilities for getting to know one another in a way that’s perfectly safe.”

The findings show modern daters have fully embraced the idea of dating online, with almost half of those polled reckoning dating sites will fast become the only way single people will find love.

Reasons that people said they liked online dating were: reduced pressure, saving money, less stress and the fact that you can end the session as soon as things get awkward.

It also emerged over one third intend to continue online dating after the pandemic ends, with a few daters now preferring to hang out with a love interest online, rather than in person.

But there are some downsides to dating online with people complaining of awkward silences when conversation doesn’t naturally flow.

Almost half of respondents, polled via OnePoll, also complain of eye strain part way into the call with the average person keeping it to just 35 minutes long as a result.

Other grumbles include not being able to tell what someone smells like, what shoes they wear, how tall they are and not being able to have any physical contact.

Alexandra Smyrliadi, content manager at Vision Direct said: “These are difficult times for anyone, especially if you’re living alone or are on the lookout for love.“But as this poll confirms, people are being so resourceful with their time and have found brilliant ways of creating romantic connection."

Some tips for dating online, by Dr Becky Spelman:

1. Play Truth or Dare. This might be a good game to play when you’re getting to know one another a little more, as it has a habit of getting a little saucy!

2. Have a mini-book club. There’s never been a better time to read, and it might be a lot of fun to read the same book as your partner, or the person you’re trying to get to know. If you want to spice things up, you could try some literary erotica.

3. Swap silly jokes or scary stories late into the night. (Maybe not too scary, as you’ll be going to bed on your own later.)

4. Exchange letters. There’s nothing more romantic than an old-fashioned pen-and-paper letter. Write to one another and then open and read the letters when you’re online together.

5. Try mindfulness meditation. This can be an amazing way to relax and get rid of the stresses and worries of the day, and doing it together can be an amazing bonding experience.

SWNS