Love is fundamental human need; so, with the rise of the internet came the rise of dating services. Most likely, even if you have never used a dating app, you have at least heard of one, if not all, of these apps. Online dating is actually the second most popular way to meet a partner, which makes sense when you really think about it Anderson, We are a society of smartphone users and we do love our apps. It is also easier, and less time-consuming, to swipe through some pictures on an app every-so-often than it is to go out to a social event and meet new people Anderson, However, as with anything on the internet, there are some serious flaws with online dating.
The most common issue with dating services is that the profiles you see are not necessarily accurate portrayals of the individuals who created them. As with social media, dating services provide an environment where you are encouraged to present your ideal self rather than your true self.
The other big issue is differences in intent. Many women go on dating apps in the hopes of finding a romantic partner. Many men, however, go on dating apps looking for someone to have sex with Anderson, This is not to say that this is the case for all men or all women, but there is definitely a disconnect in the reasons for using a dating app. There is also the fact that relationships started online last for shorter periods of time. If you are discontent with a partner, why bother with them when you have an app full of other potential partners?
Because there are so many choices, people are less willing to give a relationship the chance it needs to develop Knapton, One reason that online dating is less successful, besides the large number of potential partners, is that we cannot rely on our biological cues in an online environment.
In an evolutionary perspective, genetic compatibility is very important, so our bodies have evolved to subconsciously evaluate the suitability of our potential partners Knapton, These biological triggers, which are very important in informing our choice of partner in the real world, are rendered useless in the online world, which makes us vulnerable to choosing a partner we might not actually connect with in the real world Knapton, While dating apps have increased in popularity in recent years, this does not mean that they are better than meeting someone face-to-face.
