ABHA: Saudis are not only going online to communicate and network, but also increasingly looking for love on social networking sites, according to several surveys.

Several Saudi women surveyed said that Facebook, Twitter and other applications are providing the estimated 1.5 million spinsters in the country opportunities to find partners. This comes as some surveys estimate there are likely to be 4 million unmarried women in the country in the near future.

A new e-poll showed that Saudis are extensive users of Twitter, topping other social media applications. The poll, involving 6,100 people of different age groups, showed that 87 percent use Twitter, while 44 percent use Facebook.

A little less than half, 41 percent, said they spend 2 to 3 hours daily surfing social media websites. The poll showed that 71 percent of the males interviewed said they use social media in comparison to 29 percent of the females.

A different study suggested that 65 percent of women use social media to look for life partners while the rest said that new media was not the place for such a serious task and prefer traditional methods.

Al-Anoud Ali is one woman who does not believe social media is the place to look for a life partner. She warns that many men exploit women online for personal gratification. “The traditional way is the best method. We have seen many Internet-based marriages end in divorce,” she told Arab News.

Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh said that the increase in the number of spinsters in the country, if true, is “a harbinger of evil misfortune.” He said this situation requires drastic action.

Mahmoud Kisnawi, social science professor at Um Al-Qura University, said the government wants to ensure that women are married in the country, but warned of the dangers posed by social media networks.

He said social media has changed the dynamics of human interaction. “We need to find the best ways to use these new tools so that they yield positive results,” he said.

“Some individuals might find spouses using social media but in general women need to be patient and must make sure they have sufficient information before they get married so they don’t have any regrets,” he said.

Muna Al-Kudri, an education supervisor, said that seeking partners online is a double-edged sword. “While it might be a way to meet other people, it is not safe,” she said.