For me it`s almost the 'only' way I am willing to date past my primary relationship.
I dont have time, nor interest to do 'poly' get togethers, or go to places where people meet and group. I`ve met lots of great people at swing clubs, but obviously looking for different things then me.
I wont mix business with pleasure in anyway, shape, or form, so allowing relationships to bloom within my hobbies and interests is a no-go.
My babysitter time is very precious, and even it it weren`t for a million responsibilities, I probably would still prefer it.
I like the fact I am not distracted by a persons looks, or gestures. I like taking a long time to chat online before I ever meet a person. I usually chat a month or 2, before meeting someone.
This truly weeds out the wrong kind of people. I met my husband of 10 years from a online chatroom I use to run. We talked for 4 weeks, beforehand. It wasn`t sexual either, just a local chat, some flirt, no 'cybering' or dirty pic exchanges,..and most of all, no pressure. We just felt compelled.
We had huge chemistry the minute we met.
and all the vanilla changed.
So,..I dont think online takes away from the face to face, it just helps those of us with time constraints, sort out the no-goods before we have to waste time and meet them.
Those that want to meet people 'naturally' ...well that makes great sense.
My husband is that way too, prefers things to develop of their own accord, so I 'get it'. For me, I prefer to be the approacher, rather then approached, so the 'natural' meet would rarely ever work for someone who came up to me randomly.
I`ve also decided to only get involved with people who have prior open relationship knowledge.
So put all those things together, and it makes sense for someone like me to choose to make new contacts, via online.