Britons won't admit to online dating

UK online daters are ashamed to admit that they use the internet to find love, according to a new study.

While 13 per cent of UK singletons have used online dating sites, only three per cent will admit to friends and family that thay have tried it.

According to the survey by AOL, while only eight per cent of people questioned said they would like to use online dating sites, 21 per cent of them claimed they knew a friend who met a partner online.

Rachel Burge, AOL’s lifestyle editor, said: “Internet dating has exploded in popularity over the last few years, but it is no surprise that we Brits are a bit too reserved to talk about it. However, done responsibly, it’s the perfect way for people to dip their toes into the dating pool, without getting stuck on the blind date from hell.”

Web users can debate the issue of online dating on AOL's discuss campaign website.

Last week, security experts warned internet that virus writers were using online dating sites and Valentine's Day emails to spread viruses.