There's Match.com, there's Tinder, there's EHarmony, and there's ... Nextdoor?
That's the debate that's been happening on the private social network, geared toward individual neighborhoods. Nextdoor was designed to be a resource for each community to discuss events, report crimes, and to discuss other happenings in specific areas.
Recently, in the Washington Park East neighborhood discussion, Ben Schemel wrote a post called "eligible bachelor." Throughout the post, he introduces himself, talks about his hobbies, his background, and some characteristics about a woman he is hoping to meet.
"I like to check out coffee shops, restaurants, photography, art walks, thrift stores and estate sales," Schemel wrote. "I stay active by going to the gym regularly, road biking and walking in Wash Park."
He also posted a YouTube link, with a short video introducing himself.
"I just thought, maybe somebody, would know someone who would be a good match in the neighborhood. I thought it would be fun for someone to think of their sister, or friend," Schemel said. "I didn't expect such severe anger from everyone."
Shortly after he posted on Nextdoor, many people commented and said that Nextdoor was not an appropriate place to look for someone to date.
"I get it that people are upset and that there are other forums. But I don't think they understood my point of view. I work seven days a week and I want to see or date someone in my neighborhood, someone close," Schemel said.
His post was flagged multiple times, and eventually taken down. He posted again, asking for people to identify a specific clause in Nextdoor's rules and regulations that said that posting dating profiles are not allowed.
9NEWS reached out to Nextdoor and asked about their feeling on dating.
"Nextdoor is a private social network for neighbors to communicate about the things that matter most in their communities. While we hope that Nextdoor can be a way for neighbors with shared interests to meet, it is not meant to be a dating service. We would encourage neighbors who want to meet others with shared interests to post about their interests or start a group and invite others who would like to join."
Schemel said he has deleted posts associated with his dating inquiry.
"Nothing positive was coming out of this. I work at a church and this was getting really negative and I don't want to be associated with this. It's just not good for me, or my job, to be tied to this anymore," Schemel said.
One woman did reach out to him and asked to go to coffee. Schemel said there were also fierce supporters of his idea, who offered to introduce him to their friends.
