Press "Enter" to skip to content

Dating Apps

By Jenesia McNeil
Staff Writer

When you think of a crush or a potential significant other, it used to be your next-door neighbor, or the hot guy who sits in the back row of the classroom, or even a pretty girl at the mall. You know you see them every day; so you make sure—for the guys—to have a fresh cut and to put on as much cologne to get their attention, and—for the girls—to spend a little bit more time in front of the mirror. You are on your guard at all times because you never know when they might pop up. Well, that was how mingling and dating worked prior to all the current technological advances.

Writing your number on a piece of paper, having a face-to-face conversation or talking on the phone are no longer the primary sources of communication in the 21st century. With the current technological advances, regular communication has suddenly been replaced with social networking via the Web or the Internet. Whether it is messaging someone on Facebook because they are attractive, following someone on Instagram because they have appealing pictures, or the new wave of finding love via dating apps, specifically Tinder, the most popular amongst college students; the evolution of technology has introduced a new way to meet people without a handshake, a smile, and good conversation.

Social networking has made dating and finding love so easy for people. Dating apps have been created for individuals to find love whenever and wherever. Tinder, a relatively new dating app, allows you to provide a picture, a brief biography about yourself, and your sexual preference. Once your information is uploaded, it is available for any Tinder member, specifically those within a close mile radius to where you live.

Many people feel that dating apps and online dating show a level of insecurity and immaturity; it limits face-to-face interaction. Jeremiah Aviles, a junior Childhood Education major said, “Living in a technological world, dating no longer has value. People are more comfortable sitting behind a screen than showing physical interest in an individual.” He continued, “Traditional dating gives you an impression of who the person is.”

However, there are people who appreciate the creation of dating apps because they feel they can’t find love any other way. “Meeting online is not negative because we are in a modern society; the impact of a relationship via dating apps depends on the individuals involved,” said Alba Rodriguez, a senior Childhood Education major. “I feel technology is not sufficient enough to sustain a strong foundation in a relationship. I’d rather a man ask me out to a coffee date in person. A date should be no longer than 45 minutes and in person to genuinely get to know the person,” Rodriguez continued.

Though there are many different dating apps, they all have one goal in mind and that is to help its users to find love. But many people abuse dating apps and use it for their own personal pleasures rather than what it is geared to. “Tinder is just about sex. I’ve used it and it’s too raunchy,” Kenny Stanton, a senior Social Work major, said. “If I want to start a relationship my priority is not strictly physical.”

Jose Acosta, a freshman Political Science major, said, “I prefer the traditional style of dating, which is meeting your potential interest in person. Meeting someone on Tinder is not socially acceptable because you will automatically be judged.” Finding love on a dating app suggests to others that an individual is not competent enough to find love on their own.

Though the traditional style of dating is preferred over the new wave of dating apps that’s been surfacing; people acknowledge and respect all forms of dating. As long as it is a safe and honest situation where both parties involved are happy, it is no one else’s business. Love is for everybody; how you get it is up to you.dating sites pioneer.png

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *