The Outlook: Are Dating Apps a Problem?

In 2024, the presence of dating apps is nothing new; millions of people both young and old have utilized sites like Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, and more to meet potential matches. Dating apps have revolutionized the dating world; for the first time in history, one can get a date without lifting a finger (besides the thumbs required for swiping left or right).

In theory, online dating is a brilliant concept. Not only is it convenient, but it feels safe. Tinder, for example, only notifies one that someone is interested in them once both parties have matched. Of course, meeting up with someone from the internet does not exactly scream “cautious,” but from an emotional standpoint, swiping right on someone and hoping they do the same is far less intimidating than approaching a person in real time and facing the possibility of face-to-face rejection.

Further, the idea that an app is a bottomless pit of eligible suitors creates the notion that no single person is necessarily a priority. While this sounds shallow, it’s inevitable; why would one person take precedence when there are thousands and even millions of profiles? Dating apps almost seem like a game—how many people can you match with until you find the perfect person (within a 20 mile radius, anyway)?

I have allowed these factors—convenience, seemingly endless options, and the lack of risk in what is otherwise a very intimidating landscape—to convince me to participate in dating apps. My issue with online dating is not my experiences, but how inorganic and impersonal it feels. Dating is about trying to form connections, and most connections made through technology feel artificial. I don’t want to feel like I’m online shopping or flipping through job resumes when I aim to get to know another person.

It’s easy to be swept away by the advantages of online dating; I have just listed several negative qualities, yet I’m still on the fence. Perhaps the abundance of users has given me the idea that it’s the only way to meet new people. The joy of quality encounters and face-to-face interactions often take a backseat to endless swiping and superficial profiles. So, while dating apps offer another avenue for connection, I have to ask myself: what am I sacrificing in the process?

Written for The Outlook, https://outlook.monmouth.edu/2024/11/are-dating-apps-a-problem/