It is an indisputable fact of life that technology has had a profound impact on each and every part of it, and dating is no exception to the rule. Over the years, dating apps have become increasingly prominent and have risen from being able to meet the very specific needs of the few to catering to the wider populace. In fact, it is almost impossible to imagine modern dating without dating apps and the internet.
Cherry picking
With such a wide range of options, it has definitely become easier to find what you’re looking for but harder to know exactly what you’re looking for (unless you’re checking review sites like https://www.adultdatingpatrol.com/). Rejection has become only temporary, as your next soulmate might be just another swipe away, and if you’ve matched with someone, that doesn’t mean that you need to stop exploring. In fact, dating apps are designed in such a way as to encourage you to continue using them, getting more matches, and starting multiple conversations. In a way, this has relativized dating, setting higher and often imaginary standards present only on social media and the internet, while minimizing the pain of rejection however attractive and fabulous that person was.
Streamline
Another effect technology has had on dating is making it a low-effort, low-risk, high-reward endeavor that is also time-efficient and easy to fit into your schedule. With this, unfortunately, comes a major downside. Online dating has become so easy, that it is becoming increasingly hard for some to be invested in a relationship. There is no reason to make an effort when everything is served on a silver plate and if it isn’t in one particular case, it will be in the next. And that’s just a click away. Technology has possibly made dating so easy, that it has taken the magic out of it for a certain number of people, and decreased the odds of people being willing to adapt to each other.
Options galore
If we could focus on one segment in which technology has had the greatest impact, it is the expansion of dating options provided by various dating sites and apps. In the past, the only options people had when it came to dating were the ones they met face to face. Whether they would connect at work, through a friend, or at a party, the dating pool available to them would consist exclusively of people they personally knew. Out of that relatively small pool of people, they would have to decide who their best option for a long-lasting relationship, friends-with-benefits situation, or a one-night stand was.
Technology has dramatically changed this landscape. Now, whether you opt for a specialized sugar dating app, a hookup website, or an app to find your soulmate, there are countless options available. You can even use classic tech, like phone lines, to explore something more risqué and outside traditional dating norms. The rapid growth of technology and the internet has opened new avenues for people, making it easier for individuals from all walks of life to connect. Whether they are seeking their soulmate or just looking for an anonymous sex chat for fun, there are numerous options and people worldwide ready to meet.
Each and every one of those options, from websites to apps and phone lines, provides you with an array of people to connect with, whether that is for one night or the rest of your life. These days, for example, apps alone can be as diverse meet n fuck free for people looking for casual sex or apps for those looking for marriage.
Privacy and taking it slow
Dating apps and websites are not the only thing that has had an effect on dating. Social networks have as well. There is virtually no need to meet people in person anymore as they are readily available via various social networks like Instagram and Facebook. Sometimes those interested in a romantic relationship meet in real life first, yet there are situations when a handshake is not at all the first contact two people have made. Both social media networks and dating apps offer a wide range of communication methods, which is great but also comes with a potential downside. The fact that everyone is readily available via the internet at all times can mitigate the sense of urgency so present in the past. This can sometimes be taken for granted as it lets people take things as slowly as they’d like.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that technology is now dictating the rules of dating at least partially, and we should be thankful for all the opportunities it provides and accept the good side with open arms. However, we should also take care and check ourselves, in order to avoid the pitfalls which are unfortunately part and parcel of the influence that technology has had on our dating lives. It’s important to always keep in mind that at the end of the day, technology is a tool and should be adapted to our needs, not vice versa.
Images:
cover: https://unsplash.com/photos/02kw5UMvlj0
1: https://unsplash.com/photos/9hgDf95TNO8
2: https://unsplash.com/photos/BjhUu6BpUZA
3: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-young-woman-video-calling-with-a-laptop-on-a-couch-7606078/