How Online Dating Changed the Dating Game

Dating culture continually evolves over time. While people still tend to find “the chosen one” or “the love of their life”, the means of finding it have changed thanks to the Internet.

The days when Bollywood movies or Jane Austen novels depicting lust and romance were over were what people longed for. Now, new generations want a quick fix when it comes to dating. They want options, and there are ways for that in the form of multiple dating apps. The “forehand” culture has not only crushed traditional methods, but also changed the way we view love.

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What do the statistics say about online dating?

Several studies and research projects have been carried out on the functioning of dating applications. Currently, there are over 8,000 dating sites worldwide and over 49 million people have tried dating apps. These come in the form of apps, chat roulette and social media. The use of dating apps has increased further during the pandemic. According statistics, online dating app Bumble alone saw a 21%, 23% and 26% increase in messages sent in US states, including Seattle, New York and San Francisco, respectively. In 2022, the app alone has an average of 40 million monthly active users.

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Why do people go the online dating route?

It is convenient

To start your online dating journey, you don’t need to know rocket science. It is extremely easy. All you need is a mobile phone device and an internet connection. The next step is as easy as it gets. All you have to do is set up your profile, which just needs some basic information and your favorite photo, and voila, you’re ready to choose whoever you want.

It’s affordable

Yes, you don’t have to spend tons of money or even very little money sometimes to get your desired match. There is virtually no cost; indeed, apart from the internet connection and sometimes a paid subscription, you have nothing to do to find your ideal partner.

It’s great for people who don’t like social interaction too much

Yes, we added this category because all introverts and socially anxious people know how hard it is to find someone they like. Especially after the pandemic, it has become quite difficult for many people to just go to a club or a cafe and strike up a conversation after the two and a half years of isolation. So, talking to a stranger comfortably on an app via text message is a dream for some.

You can go at your own pace

There are different types of people who struggle with different types of emotions. While some people are open about their emotions, others are reluctant to share information about themselves. The advantage of online dating is that you can go at your own pace without inconveniencing the other person. If you want to go slowly and the other person doesn’t seem to reciprocate the same way, you can both agree to go down different paths.

It has great features to enhance its experience

As mentioned, in the wake of the pandemic, many people who felt lonely resorted to online dating. It was a great way to meet people without meeting them. So, to enhance the meeting experience as much as possible, several dating apps like Bumble have introduced options for video calls, voice calls, and even voice recording so that people can get to know each other as much as possible.

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But are there downsides to the online dating route?

While there are so many benefits to online dating, anyone who’s done it will agree that it’s not all rainbows and flowers. There are also some negative impacts to this whole shenanigans.

One of them includes the modern nightmare known as “phantom.” According to the definition, ghosting is the practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by withdrawing suddenly and without explanation from any communication. do anything face to face. However, it leads to severe lack of self-confidence and also breaks self-image.

Other than that, it”s a harsh reality, but most people go looking for people on dating apps based on their looks. While one can be a spectacular person with a great personality, most of them get the “left swipe” based on their looks and photo quality, which is slightly unfair.

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So can you even find true love online?

When it comes to men and women, women tend to find more matches than men. However, women are much more discerning than men and tend to pay more attention to each profile before swiping left or right. In this country, women are more likely than men to seek meaningful relationships.

But that’s not necessarily bad. The advantage of dating apps is that people with the same schedules can find each other quickly. You may meet someone online whose sole motivation for using the app is love. If you both end up having love and long-term commitment as common motivators for using the app, and you feel some sort of mutual spark in the initial conversations, then things can really be great. for the two people talking.

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Does it lead to marriage?

Yes, it most certainly is. According to the Institute for Statistical Brain Research, 1 out of 5 relationships and just over 1 in 6 marriages begin online.

Another study was conducted by Philipp Hergovich, from the University of Vienna, and Josué Ortega, from the University of Essex, based on 2013 data from the National Academy of Sciences. This research has proven that, thanks to online dating, there are more diverse marriages. Not only that, but marriages have become much stronger. According to the study, couples who have not met through online dating are likely to separate or divorce much earlier.

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So, our conclusion here is that online dating has definitely opened new doors and made people looking for love much more optimistic. Online dating can have many benefits, but meeting a complete stranger can also be worrying. So, hoping he finds more love stories.