Dating apps have always been touted as a way of escaping awkward real-life search processes; you can do all the ‘screening’ from the convenience of your bed. With millions of users, there was no barrier to finding dates on these dating apps. So why are they getting backlash all over the internet? Are people no longer using these apps? This article will answer these questions and more.
Jenny’s awkward date
Of all the recent dating app stories on social media, the story of Jenny Nguyen-Don stands out for being relatable. She and a guy she’s been talking to on Hinge for about a month agreed to meet one night.
Since she was on the train and had no service, she didn’t get his message where he mentioned having to make a stop on the way. She realized he’d blocked her because she didn’t respond. Although the date still happened, she called it awkward in a TikTok video. Her experience made people agree that dating apps have ruined dating.
Alexis Dougé also had a bad experience
Another bad dating app experience that went viral was Alexis Dougé’s ordeal. A man whom the 25-year-old social media coordinator met on Tinder stole her designer shoes, which cost $1000.
Over a million people viewed the TikTok she made about the event; the guy eventually returned the shoes. This made people see the fault in how dating apps have reduced people to only their profile pictures.
The Rose Jail frustrates people
On Hinge, there is a rose feature; users can only interact with Standouts (that is, all the good guys whose profiles are getting attention) by sending them a rose. The issue is that, aside from the one-per-week rose offer, roses start at $3.99 each.
When users can’t interact with the Standouts, they are left with disappointing choices. This has caused users to accuse Hinge of wanting people to keep spending their money, contrary to their “Designed to be deleted” slogan.
How hard have these apps fallen?
A recent survey showed that 79% of students (college and graduate) don’t use dating apps, not even once a month. Of course, dating app companies have also noticed that the younger generation is ‘tired’ of these apps.
Match Group, which owns dating apps Hinge, OkCupid, and Tinder, experienced a 40% stock price drop last year. It won’t be wrong to say that the best these apps can do is catch up. They need to give people something new.
Going forward: Is there even a way?
Dating app companies can’t deny getting the memo that their golden age is over. Apps like Tinder, which are known for finding casual sex partners, are now incorporating ways to find out each user’s relationship expectations.
On the part of the users, knowing how to communicate past the “hello/hi” stage is key. While apps match people, connecting them isn’t in their hands. With a change of mindset, Gen Zers will probably be meeting their soulmates on dating apps in the next few years.