The online dating market is growing exponentially, and research suggests that it’s expected to earn total global revenues reaching US$2.86 billion by the end of 2022. That speaks much of how lucrative this venture has been.
But while it seems a contemporary habit, it dates way back to the medieval. Online dating has wholly altered society’s fabric and changed how people search for potential partners.
Speaking on CNBC, Dr. Anna Machin, an evolutionary anthropologist, believes that dating apps have taken a toll on people’s dopamine, and it’s become more of an addictive issue than societal coercion.
With so much happening on this cusp in time, it’s pretty easy to notice how much has changed. This article offers insight into how much online dating has changed society and whether or not it’s a good thing.
What is Online Dating?
Online dating is the searching for sexual or romantic partners on the internet through specific websites. Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge have become the mainstays in this exciting industry and have ruled the space, determining how people and potential couples interact.
For the most part, people find partners online for sex, but others even find lifelong partners and live a happily-ever-after. It’s pretty remarkable how much has changed in society since the introduction of the internet and how online dating has been the precursor.
How Has Online Dating Changed Society?
Undoubtedly, online dating has had a far-reaching impact on society, changing perceptions and views on relationships and love as a whole.
But how has online dating impacted the community, or how much has it altered the fabric? Here are ways that online dating has brought change to society for the better.
People Now Find it Much Easier to Find Partners
Back in the day, it was all a struggle and mainly strenuous to learn about your potential partner since everything seemed to fall within the interaction order.
Most people (Particularly men) had to chase after women, initiate a conversation, and finally get to know women. That could take forever and a day before the two agreed they’re perfect for a pair-up.
However, times have changed, and people are breaking out of this tradition. Nowadays, your partner can only be swapped away, with Tinder and other online dating sites becoming more significant than ever.
The LGBTQ+ Finds It Much Easier to Date People With Similar Sexual Orientations
Before the modern age, finding a partner as an LGBTQ+ member wasn’t a breeze. Back then, this amazing community of people had limited rights, and everything they stood for was frowned upon.
However, the modern age has brought maximum freedom and enlightenment, regardless of gender orientations, but a few people still find it somewhat uncomfortable to make their affairs more public. However, dating apps have ameliorated things and helped the LGBTQ+ community interact and find partners much more quickly.
It’s Facilitated Hookups
People now find it relatively seamless to communicate their interests without the need to initiate physical interactions. If you’re looking for casual hookups other than getting into actual long-term relationships, you only need to include it on your profile, and you’ll get your match – easy peasy!
However, it goes much deeper than that since you can still communicate your interests to virtually everyone, whether the friends-with-benefits type of relationship or long-term association.
As beneficial as online dating has been to society, it still has its drawbacks. However, much of this negative hype is due to a few ill-minded parties on online dating sites with no aim to form meaningful relationships.
Here’s the downside of online dating that has impacted the community quite negatively.
It’s Made Cheating Easier
The easy access to potential partners has made cheating possible, and spouses can get intimate with anyone while tied in marriage. One study found that 18 to 25 percent of people on Tinder are in a committed relationship while on the platform, which is quite alarming.
Most people unhappy in their marriages find solace in apps like Tinder and OkCupid, which is nothing more than being unfaithful to their partners. More likely, this number could be higher on other online dating platforms or worse.
It’s Proliferated Scamming Cases
The desperate need to make ends meet in life has driven numerous scammers into dating sites to pounce on vulnerable “partners” to swindle them. According to observations, online dating scammers reaped a whopping $304 million in 2020 and more to about $547 million in 2021.
Love can hurt, but the loss of valuable income by individuals can be more daunting, causing mistrust among people.
Fake Online Dating Profiles Leading to Failed Marriages
Some people are downright liars in their online profiles and misrepresent themselves with fake accounts of their financial capacities. Others also use phony IDs and misleading images to dupe potential partners, even though they may not have the intention to scam them.
According to Pew Research, nearly 53 percent of US participants in a survey admitted to lying on their online dating profiles. While some may identify these red signs from the word go, others fall into the trap and commit to long-term relationships, only to get a rude shock of the reality later.
It’s Facilitated Crime
According to a study, cyber pornography has become rampant and has spewed organized crime, with global crime syndicates ruling the space. These criminals initiate more women and girls into the crime ring through online dating sites.
Online prostitution has also weakened the fabric and eroded the values that society holds dear. It’s given a negative outlook to dating and casual hookups, a dent that’ll take quite some time to repair.
Conclusion
Online dating has become more sought-after due to the hype it tags along with. People find it much easier to use the digital space and swipe right to pair up with virtually anyone you want.
However, it’s had a far-reaching impact on society, both positive and negative. More precisely, it’s ameliorated dating and communicating interests with ease.
That being said. some people find online dating a nuisance in the digital space and society in general. One question remains: will online dating ever be wholly beneficial without the mishaps in society? That’s to be determined.
