Why Dating Apps Are The Death Of Real Connections
Dating apps can be beneficial if used correctly.
Canva Pro Images, PublicDomainPictures / pixabay via Canva By Amanda Miller
Quick question: When you swipe left and right on dating apps, does it come with a love connection?
When dating online, the opportunities are endless. So many people these days are looking for love from the comfort of their own couches, hoping to find "the one."
But even though it’s comfortable, many find it exhausting to consistently edit their profiles so that they draw the attention of someone special.
It’s common knowledge that everyone who dates online has a list of complaints. It can be either from the prospective partner’s profile or after meeting them in person.
After all, people like to embellish their lives and self-descriptions to appeal to others.
Statistically speaking, it’s very unlikely that you’ll meet your soulmate on a dating app. Yes, some people manage to do that, but most of us end up failing and feeling bad about ourselves.
It can be hard since there are many apps out there, such as Bumble, that try to help us find love. Still, you’re more likely to find a casual connection than a serious, long-term relationship.
But there are many reasons why dating apps are so popular. For example, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we were forced to isolate and socially distance ourselves from each other. Still, many people wanted love, so they reached for dating apps.
Then, the lockdown became longer than we expected, which forced people to reevaluate what they wanted from their online dating experience. The lack of connection made people crave human contact, even in the form of going to the movies together.
Dating apps continue to show what we enjoy — the simplicity of a relationship — even though that’s not what all of us want. We all have high and unusual expectations, so it’s not surprising that technology will create more opportunities for social connections.
Today, we all want to know whether we can truly find love through technology. Is it possible to find and keep the love found on a dating app? Or is it too convenient to be real?
Love can prosper when individuals explore their differences, and that’s something dating apps don’t often give us.
Most of us, not all, want to get married, have children, and, of course, have regular sex. Unfortunately, online dating can often only help with the latter. For example, you can go on Tinder and swipe until you get your next hookup.
Despite it all, though, some individuals find themselves in surprising relationships. So, the outcome of online dating truly depends on the circumstances.
Here’s another question you should ask yourself: Are technology and social media indeed destroying love?
In some cases, technology, social media, and online dating can be wonderful, especially if you struggle with social anxiety.
On its own, technology has pros and cons, just like everything. Online dating helps people find others who they would otherwise never be able to meet. So, it does create unique connections.
But if you allow for your relationship to only grow online, you’re cutting out a large portion of what it means to be human and have real relationships.
If you’re insecure or anxious, it can be even more difficult. But you can still find love and deep connections in the real world instead of online.
It’s about doing the work and understanding that dating apps can be beneficial if used correctly and not instead of real human connections.
Again, maintaining a strong connection with someone involves work, and some people find it to be too much, so they end up missing out on this special type of relationship.
If you live with that feeling without trying to get out of your comfort zone, you will never be truly satisfied with your relationships and connections.
Amanda Miller is an upcoming novelist and contributor writer to Femi Magazine, Sheen Magazine, and other digital platforms. She writes on topics of Black excellence, wellness, and entertainment.