The days of meeting a handsome stranger in the grocery store ebb away each second single men and women swipe right in hopes of finding true love. Smartphones are playing Cupid in today’s society of love and romance, positively and negatively affecting millennials’ relationships with one another.
“I’ve had some good experiences with online dating,” says junior Kellie Geisel. “But they didn’t last long. I realized what I’m looking for in a relationship and always like meeting new people.”
Although traditionally a hopeless romantic, I eventually gave into temptation and downloaded the online dating app Bumble. It seemed odd and unfamiliar, but I decided to give it a try. Swiping left and swiping right, I was amazed at the options sitting at my fingertips. Users are able to adjust the age and distance to filter through their suitors. The possibilities are limitless, and swiping becomes somewhat of a game.
Online dating is real and magical and equally as wonderful as traditional relationships. As more people join dating sites worldwide, it is becoming increasingly more accepted. According to a study conducted by Statistic Brain Research Institute, there are currently 54,250,000 single people in the United States. Of those single men and women, 49,250,000 have tested their luck on various online dating sites.
While the trend continues to escalate, and thousands of single men and women sign up for a variety of dating sites including OkCupid, Hinge, Tinder and others, online dating begins to present a few problems. Perhaps the biggest flaw in online dating is the limitless options. Everyone is right there at our fingertips, and we are able to filter through thousands of single people each day, leaving us always wanting more.
With unlimited options, we often feel hesitant to be tied down to just one person. We’re plagued with the inevitable desire for something more, something “better.” We don’t want to commit because, well, what might Tinder have in store for me today? Everyone is looking for the next best thing, making settling down scary and intimidating.
Social media outlets in general allow us to create an ideal version of ourselves by showcasing our most attractive pictures and thoughtful posts. As users on online dating sites swipe through these highlight reels, they are rarely exposed to the intimate details of their potential matches. Swift judgments are made based on witty tag lines and dazzling pictures.
“I don’t think I could date for long online,” says junior Hakeem Oufkir. “I would have to meet the person as soon as possible since someone’s online personality may be different from their real life self.”
However, it is never my place to doubt the intentions of online daters. It brings people who may not have met each other otherwise closer together and kickstarts their relationships.
So, don’t be afraid to swipe right my friends, and always remember that behind every profile is a real, living, breathing, feeling person. Be wary of swiping left too quickly, because by doing so, you might swipe right past your soulmate.
