why anybody would spend money for online interactions.

Online transactions are safer for guys these days. The college aged feminism movement makes a lot of younger guys I know afraid to ask a girl out in fear of being labeled as a creepy guy. Like, I'll suggest "why not just ask her out?" and that is just out of the question for them. The second they get hit with that label it spreads like wildfire through their social media circles. Starting a conversation with a girl and asking her out the old fashion way is considered wrong these days. That's not entirely true in every situation. If you're at a party, for example, its normal. Out in public? Not really.