This is How the Internet Changed Dating Industry

The Internet has dramatically changed the pattern of human interaction, socialization, and as well as dating. Different mobile apps revolutionize how we connect to our potential partners today, and you don’t necessarily have to attend family or friendly parties to find a partner.

This is How the Internet Changed Dating Industry

Over the past decade, dating apps have exploded in popularity, and we’ve allowed technology to play a role in our interpersonal interactions to find a lovemate. In the United States, two in five couples have met online, and marriages resulting from online dating are rising.

The dating services market size can reach USD 9.9 Billion by 2026, and this is due to the rise of technology and Internet expansion. Let’s see how the Internet has influenced the dating industry over the years.

The days before online dating

Can you remember the days before inventing dating websites and apps like match.com, Tinder, and Ashley Madison? If your parents belong to Generation X, ask them how they met each other. They probably met in the university, café, by a mutual friend, or at a party. These were common ways for people before Generation Z to meet.

Of course, these methods are still in use, and you still have the chance to find a lover in the university or a party. But most of the relationships today happen within online dating platforms, and there is a reason for that. This is a fact that without such platforms, many relationships today wouldn’t exist, and many of us would be drowning in loneliness.

It is the nature of online dating to connect people with common characteristics, regardless of geographical restrictions, race, and social class. In the days before the invention of dating platforms, such a thing seemed impossible, and even society rejected it. Now, you have the chance to find a potential lover by just scrolling in a mobile app.

The concept of global village revolutionized dating

When it comes to sharp social criticism, general movements, and ideologies, the Internet has played a critical role in moderating them and turning them into trivial issues. The Internet is neither that predatory devil nor that innocent angel. It comes with its pros and cons – just like anything human-made – and the user is responsible for any possible risks.

We’re living in the age of the Internet, and every aspect of our lives is associated with the global network, including dating. The dating and hook-up apps are now billion-dollar businesses on the Internet, and thousands of hours are spent on them every year.

The global village concept made dating and hook-up available to a wider range of communities and turned dating from a laborious process to as simple as creating an online profile.

From a psychological perspective, when something is available to a wider range of people in the community, it becomes faster and less difficult to accept, and opposition diminishes gradually. The flaws are less visible at this stage, and media and propaganda bombardment begin to entice more people.

This is the same prevailing theory about online dating and hook-up services. These services grew exponentially as the Internet grew, and the Internet helped them navigate from a monopoly to a public space, which means being available to everyone.

The Internet’s ultimate goal is to vanish the boundaries and make people connected, regardless of geographical restrictions, race, and ethnic background. Online dating is applying the same theory through a different shape. The Internet and dating have one goal in common and overlap with each other in some areas.

Dating has become like a game

Thanks to the Internet, finding a partner today has become more like a game than a time-consuming and tedious process. You just need to open the application and start scrolling between different profiles and pictures. You can read the descriptions and decide whether he or she can be a potential partner.

In a video game, you may be competing for first place and winning the title. There’s a similar case in online dating too. The users are trying to showcase their best to grab the attention and win a partner.

Just like the video games that only skilled people can win, in online dating, the winners are those who can be more adept at delivering an online version of themselves.

Another similarity between dating and a game is there’s no end for both of them. When a game is over, you can start it again. The stages aren’t changed, and you have to follow the same strategy to win. By the same token, when your meeting didn’t end up in a serious relationship, you can get back to the app and start searching for a new potential partner as you did before.

There are more options on the dating table

The fear of rejection is a serious problem for couples who want to meet. Probably if it was in the 70s or 80s, the person who got rejected might give up updating for a while and be overwhelmed by a lack of confidence.

But we’re living at the age of online dating, and rejection is not a disaster as it seems. When dating fails, the person can get back to the app – the same game – and start looking for a new partner. The ones who are using dating apps know that even if the dating fails, there will be an unlimited number of attempts.

Dating in the Internet age is like an infinite game and continues until the person can find a lovemate. The possibility of infinite attempts looks amazing, but there’s a big downgrade with that. Why should I put my energy and efforts to know someone deeply while there are many other people out there who might be a better choice? The same game theory.

In the case of limited items, people put more effort into getting to know each other, and the chances of building a long-term, lasting relationship are higher. While eliminating the fear of rejection is one of the biggest benefits of online dating, the availability of countless options has also reduced the chances of building a strong relationship.

Online dating helps shy people to socialize and connect

It is a fact that socializing is difficult for shy and introverted people. They who do not have enough courage to meet and talk to a potential partner on the street, in the park, or at work won’t find a better place than online dating apps to find a partner. The less connected people in the real world are more eloquent and persuasive behind their phones.

Meeting a person in the real world can be difficult and stressful for introverts, so they need to look for ones with shared values and characteristics. This way, they are meeting a person that understands them and is easier to connect with. Just check the profile thoroughly, read the description, and watch the pictures and videos to see whether he or she is a good fit.

Be cautious! online dating has its dangers

Internet dating comes with many benefits, but don’t forget about the dangers. You will meet someone you have never met before, and the possibility of any threat must be considered. Many cases of physical and emotional harm, sexual assault, theft, and intimidation are reported.

Every user on dating apps can be a potential prey for criminals. Men and women are equally exposed to such threats. One quick tip is never to meet someone in secluded places and out of town.

Image Credit: ekaterina bolovtsova, pexels; thank you!

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