Technology has changed dating in tremendous ways. It has gradually become more immersed in the modern quest for intimacy. In 1995, only 2% of relationships were started over the Internet. In 2009, around 22% of relationships started over online dating sites. By 2017, that figure had risen to 39%.
Although online dating has become far more common, discussions about the significant impact it has had on our lives have been few and far between. However, it is impossible to deny that online dating has had tremendous changes in our daily lives.
Understanding the Massive Disruption Technology Has Created in the World of Dating
Dating platforms and apps like Tinder offer incredible opportunities for looking for a potential partner. At the same time, these opportunities are so unbelievable that they can cause difficulties in establishing close relationships. Or not to cause. How modern technologies have changed the form and content of romantic relationships? Let us discuss this in this article.
Dating Online VS Dating In-person
Such different types of dating were compared by scientists in their study led by A. Finkel. They found that, on the one hand, online dating apps and sites allow you to meet many more potential Russian brides online than in ordinary life.
The study made a number of interesting findings. For example, around 50% of respondents had at least one one-night stand before. Over half of these respondents had been in a committed, long-term relationship before they got married.
Research has shown that there are some clear downsides to online dating. One of them is that people might become too narrow with their preferences.
People may get too picky when they are faced with so many potential options. They may turn away a mate that is likely a very good fit for them, because they think that they can find someone even better. Their unrealistic expectations caused by so many options ironically make it more likely that they will be unable to find a long-term partner.
Nevertheless, there are some great selling points with online dating as well. One of the great things about modern dating apps is that they can help you match based on personality, education, values and other core compatibility factors.
Dating sites can help people establish a sense of safety as well. There are ways to vet people online before meeting them. Unfortunately, technology isn’t perfect at identifying red flags, so people still need to use their own judgment. They should also be careful to research potential partners before meeting, because a lot of people do lie on their profiles. Studies have shown that 53% of people lie about their jobs or income alone.
Or Maybe Nothing Has Changed?
Does the form of love expression — smiles, chats, likes, selfies — really change its content? It seems that inventions like the birth control pill have had a far greater impact on romantic relationships.
For example, speaking of online dating, Helen Fisher points out that on the Internet, we only meet people, but dating still happens in real life. And at these meetings, everything happens the same as a million years ago: people worry, laugh, try to show their best qualities.