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Ten years ago, people sniggered when a peer said they had a date with someone they met online. The stigma seems to be lessening in American society and online dating is becoming just as viable an option as the supermarket or singles bar for making love connections. That said, most still the other one's lying about something.

A new survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that of those actively seeking a romantic partner say they have used the Internet to further their romantic interests. One in ten of all users say they have gone to dating websites.

Further, an increasing number of Americans say they at least know someone who has tiptoed the online dating scene. About 30 million people said they knew someone in a long-term relationship or marriage that began online.

Increasingly, online dating is no longer being seen as "desperate." Survey respondents agreed nearly 3 to 1 that online daters were not in dire straits. Men, according to the survey, tend to be a bit more hypocritical about it though. More likely than women to view dating services as a good way to meet people, men are also more likely to categorize online daters as desperate.

Stigmas aside, there are still some lingering concerns over safety. Most Internet users (66%) agree with the statement that online dating is a dangerous activity because it puts personal information on the Internet. Females, older users, and lower-income and education users are the most wary of those risks. Only six percent said dating websites do a good job of protecting personal information.

People are also getting more savvy (or more distrustful) of those they meet online. The majority (57%) of Internet users agree that a lot of people of dishonest about being married.

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