Numbers for Online Dating Continue to Rise

Through the years, online dating has become more and more prominent in the world of relationships. According to a survey of 4,680 adults conducted online by the Pew Research Center, three in ten Americans have taken part in online dating as of October 2019. This number has grown from the 11% who have surveyed to using online dating in 2013. With the increasing percentage of adults who have used dating sites or apps, the numbers for relationships and marriages that initiated through online dating have also gone up. In 2o13, 3% of adults reported to being in a long-term relationship or a marriage with someone they originally met through online dating. This number rose to 12% after the 2019 survey. “It is clear that websites and mobile apps are playing a larger role in the dating environment than in previous years.”

With the climbing numbers for online dating, it has been reported that the use of mobile apps and sites tend to be more in demand for particular groups. Nearly half of young adults (18-29 years old) have said that they participated in online dating. Additionally, using dating sites and apps has been found to be even more popular amongst the LGB (lesbian, gay, or bisexual) community with 55% claiming to have taken part.

Being that the popularity of online dating is higher amongst the younger groups, dating apps and sites are very common when it comes it college students. Cheyenne Graham, a freshman at the University of Southern Indiana decided to give the popular app Tinder a try once she moved onto campus. Right of the bat, Graham realized that many people on the app where “there for the wrong reasons.” While Graham was seeking potential relationship partners, many of the other users “were looking to hookup.” This trend is not rare across dating sites and apps.

More than half (57%) of female users report being sent explicit or sexual messages. “Other incidents highlight how dating sites or apps can become a venue for bothersome or harassing behavior.” These incidents are especially prominent with woman under the age of 35. For instance, 60% of females ages 18-34 who partake in online dating have had someone on a site or app continue to contact them after expressing that they were not interested.

It has also been reported that 28% of online dating users have experienced offensive communication or name calling. This is one reason that Purdue student, Olivia Denny chooses not to use dating apps or sites.

Denny also believes that online dating can be ingenuine and untraditional. She says that chatting online “is just a message, and it may not mean anything.” Whereas traditionally going out and meeting people face to face gives you the opportunity to read someone’s expressions and body language. Thus, allowing for a more genuine experience.

In conclusion, many people have different opinions regarding online dating. Though, one thing is for certain and that is the fact that it is becoming more popular with time.