Developments in technology have influenced life in a multitude of different ways. Whether it is in ordering food at a touchscreen kiosk rather than going up to the register, taking notes in class on a computer rather than a notebook, or simply ordering a package to your house rather than driving to the store, society has certainly changed significantly from times of less-developed technology. Among countless other aspects of life that have been affected, dating is one area that has been changed immensely.
The great shift in the way dating is conducted first began with the introduction of desktop computers. In the years following the initial creation of this incredible device, apps designed to pair potential partners with one another began to pop up. This wave of dating websites was led by Match.com, changing how couples would meet forever. While those looking for a relationship previously had to go out in their area looking for future lovers, dating websites made the process so easy that they don’t even need to leave the comfort of their own homes. Following Match.com were countless other sites designed to pair users up to chat behind their computer screens.
Gabriel Gilstrap (12) thinks that social media has allowed more people to connect that never would have otherwise.
“I think dating through social media is a great change that makes it easier for those people to communicate and learn about each other on a personal level,” Gilstrap said.
As the world moved into the new era of mobile technology in the form of the cell phone, the online form of dating moved with it. Dating apps such as Tinder and Hinge began appearing, making finding a partner easier than ever. These apps have grown incredibly since their initial release, with the number of users more than tripled since 2013 according to stylight.com.
Seth Miller (11) thinks that dating is different because of how much easier it is to find someone to match with.
“With social media, you can find anybody quickly, whereas before you had to actually know and meet the person. It’s a lot better and easier for people to find their special someone,” Miller said.
While these apps have certainly made it much easier for people to find their perfect match, they also do have their flaws that could potentially significantly decrease the user experience. One of the most prominent issues that these apps hold is the presence of catfishes pretending to be somebody that they aren’t. These users hide behind a false persona, extorting their matches for money or other motives. These users can ruin the experience of these apps for some, making the modern form of dating potentially problematic.
Cameron Lee (11) thinks that while dating apps have positives, such as easily connecting those with common interests, it does have some glaring downsides.
“Dating apps can negatively impact people’s feeling of self-worth and can cause people to feel objectified or judged by strangers based on a brief paragraph on their profile,” Lee said. “There’s also the issue of scammers and people who have the intention to hurt people going on the platforms, and I think, especially with AI, it is getting harder to distinguish between genuine people and people who want to cause harm.”
