Everyday people unlock their phones and see yet another notification of someone wanting to direct message them, a random stranger who has swiped right on their Tinder profile, or a new Facebook friend request.
The world of social networks has completely transformed the process of dating, as well as how bonds are formed between individuals.
The simplicity and directness of each of these networks provides a platform for many to create their own personal lives online, and be able to share this new version of themselves with others.
Social media is all about self-presentation, and making online profiles as unique as possible in order to attract other fellow users.
Due to constant digital advances, we have become consumed by this vast online universe that allows us to become anyone we would like to be. This in itself makes it much easier for us as people to find a potential soulmate who meets our “standards,” as they are also trying to fit an ideal image.
Online dating apps such as, Tinder, Bumble, and Grindr, display several different profiles of those who are interested in pursuing a relationship. Everyone within the community can easily skim through a profile and judge someone based on what they decide to put for their descriptions, as well as their pictures.
After only a few days of texting, we believe we have found our perfect match. However, the faces of these profiles have no credibility in any way, shape, or form.
A recent study of online daters within the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) conducted by the global research agency of Opinion Matters found that a total of 53% of US participants lied on their profiles.
Many of these lies were specifically about their career, personality, financial situations, and especially about looks.
There are over 91 million users on dating apps today, according to The Atlantic. Half of those users are constantly catfished by other members, or attracting someone as a fictional online persona.
Online dating app profiles aren’t the only issue in this case, since social media apps such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat have risen in popularity among the young generation.
These apps also give us the power to present ourselves as a completely different person on the internet through our accounts. We do this through what we choose to post, and also what we include in our profiles.
“The biggest issue of all of this is the great danger behind it,” says Johanna Figueroa, MLEC sophomore. “You have no actual idea of who the person behind your screen is, and how they may act in real life. There is also no real emotional bond, as you have not experienced anything with this person or gotten to know who they truly are.”
Other than the risk of not knowing any reliable personal information of the user, there cannot be a true connection after only multiple exchanges of text messages.
It can be easy to fall for the random attractive stranger on Instagram who continues to charm us through their way with words. However, in this day and age we have lost all sense of live human communication and interaction.
In this 21st century, love has simply become a trend people can’t help but follow. It has become an addiction, and an act of one’s desperation for a relationship.
“Nowadays it’s easier to be confident on the internet since one has time to think of what to say to someone,” says Javier Velasquez, MLEC junior. “Now people don’t want to interact and act in the moment with someone. People want the shortcut to relationships. They won’t go through the nervous process of what to say next, and will never feel the warmth one gets when really loving someone.”
