Have the Apps to find a Couple online made us more distant?
It is easy to realize that our lives have changed since we lived in the digital age, in which technology has woven a virtual network that encompasses every aspect of our lives. Looking at the evolution of relationships, dating apps have been responsible for a huge change. They have shifted the search for love to the screens instead of in parks, cafeterias and parties. This doesn't have to be bad, but do they really bring us closer to other people?
There are studies that show that applications to find a partner are not having real effects, arguing that the current young generations are the ones that have the least sex in history and the ones that have the most loneliness experience. These suggest that these apps, by focusing all interaction in the digital and online environment, are also based on the immediacy and speed of change; it's easy not to take them seriously and even use them as a game.
In this article we are going to answer this question, if the flirting applications have the expected effect or if, on the contrary, they distance us more from each other
. In a world dominated by the fluidity of relationships and social changes, it is important to question how the way of interacting in love has changed.- Related article: "What is social psychology?"
The rise of dating apps
Consistent with the strengthening of social networks and applications to interact in our lives, applications for find a partner online burst onto the digital scene forcefully, revolutionizing the way we approach dating relations. With a simple swipe of the finger, we can browse profiles, strike up conversations and, in theory and as sold, find our next romantic interest.
These applications are presented as excessively easy and accessible, opening the opportunity to fall in love and establish stable relationships to all people. However, there are not a few people who question whether these applications are not somehow dehumanizing the love and making us move away from human and social closeness to move to the plane of distance, anonymity and coldness digital.
It is important to question whether the convenience and speed of these applications have eclipsed the depth of conversations that can be forged in the offline world. Digital conversations, although they can also be exciting and attractive, can fall into the speed and immediacy characteristic of social networks. Communication is also limited through screens in terms of body language, tone of voice and other essential elements for understanding and connecting with another person.
Furthermore, dating apps have also introduced an interesting paradox: while they seek to connect people, they can also contribute to a sense of loneliness. The process of swiping left or right may seem superficial, since it is based on images and short descriptions. This can lead to a perception that relationships are short-lived and easily replaceable, which could desensitize people to the importance of genuine and lasting connections. This sometimes inconsistent set of information casts doubt on whether dating apps really serve to flirt and connect with other people or if they just make us feel more and more isolated in a world that increasingly seems to have more development on the Internet than in life real.
- You may be interested in: "Do long-distance relationships work?"
virtual connections vs. real connections
As we have been connecting, apps to find a partner are sold as the new way to find love, as well as offering an excessively comfortable and accessible way to do so. However, in this article we do not stop questioning whether this efficiency has displaced the essence of authentic human interactions. After all, dating apps delegate the fact of finding a partner to the sliding of our fingers, to a few photos and brief presentations. Are there aspects of in-person connections that are falling by the wayside?
1. virtual connections
Online interaction has its undeniable advantages. It allows us to meet people who would otherwise never cross our path, thereby expanding our romantic options beyond geographic and social boundaries. The initial conversation, often less intimidating behind a screen, can make it easier to open up and express common interests.. It is important to keep in mind that virtual communication is not a worse way to relate, it is simply different from the real one. We must consider its advantages and disadvantages, and learn to use both communicative styles alternately.
2. real connections
It is said that in-person communication starts from a more complex matrix focused on non-verbal expressiveness. Body language, facial expressions, and intonation of speech add layers of meaning and depth to our interactions. However, verbal communication is not equally easy or accessible to all people; There are many people who find it difficult to relate to other people and for whom virtual communication is a vital solution to find connections and relationships.
- Related article: "9 habits to connect emotionally with someone"
decreased sexual activity
Parallel to the rise of applications to find a partner, a change in the dynamics of intimate relationships has been observed at the generational level. Recent studies indicate a decrease in sexual activity in both adolescents and adults. While this can be explained by a diverse combination of factors, dating apps are used to explain the changes in relational dynamics as these could be replacing face-to-face meetings and the frequency of connections physical.
1. superficial relationships
Dating apps, despite their primary purpose of facilitating relationships, could be creating a paradox by encouraging superficial connections. The focus on appearance and presentation online could be diverting attention from true emotional and physical intimacy. Digital conversations that drag on could lead to a kind of "placebo effect" in which people Emotional connections seem deeper than they really are, which may reduce the need for a physical connection.
2. Internet anxiety and insecurity
In addition, the decrease in sexual activity could also be related to the anxiety and insecurity generated by the constant comparison with online profiles. Carefully selected images and eloquent descriptions could contribute to the perception that expectations for appearance and sexual performance are extremely high. This could lead to insecurities and self-consciousness that make it difficult to form genuine intimate connections.
The loneliness epidemic
In the fabric of modern society, loneliness has become a silent epidemic affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. The advent of online dating apps may have offered the promise of hookups, but it has also raised the question of whether these platforms are inadvertently contributing to an even greater sense of isolation.
The loneliness epidemic is not a new phenomenon, but it has been exacerbated by the circumstances of the digital age and the global pandemic. The feeling of isolation can be compounded by the idea that everyone else is living a more exciting and connected life, as presented on social media and dating apps. Constant comparisons can increase feelings of inadequacy and the feeling of being left behind in a constant race for approval and attention.
Online dating apps, if not used with caution, could feed the illusion of genuine connections without really addressing the root of loneliness. Digital interactions, while they can provide momentary relief from a sense of isolation, can leave people feeling even more emptied after the screen goes dark. The lack of real human contact and face-to-face interaction can contribute to deeper emotional disconnection rather than address it.
In search of a balance
As we navigate the ever-expanding universe of dating apps online, it is essential remember that technology is just a tool, an amplified reflection of our human nature and our needs emotional. While these platforms can open doors to connections that might otherwise have remained closed, it's also important to recognize their limitations and potential consequences. The search for love and connection remains an almost universal and timeless longing. Although dating apps can make the process of finding someone compatible easier, they should not replace the need for real, authentic connections. Empathy, understanding and emotional closeness are nourished by direct contact that goes beyond words written on a screen.
In this journey of technological and emotional exploration, it is vital to find a balance between the digital world and the real world. Apps to find a partner online should not be seen as a definitive solution to loneliness or the search for love. Rather, they must be used consciously and complementary to our daily interactions, taking into account our mental health and the importance of self-care.