12 Apr What’s the online dating scene been like since living in a socially distanced/virtual COVID world?
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After two years of stay at home orders, masks and travel shutdowns due to the spread of COVID-19, Stephanie Tong understands more than most how the dating world has been altered.
Even prior to the pandemic, the Wayne State University associate professor of communication studies in the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts and her research looked at how people initiate, maintain and terminate relationships using popular social media systems.
But the pandemic put everything into technological overdrive, while also making casual meet ups and dates riskier. Tong, who is also director of the Social Media and Relational Technologies (SMART) Labs, shares her thoughts on how dating has changed, the long-term effects on courtship, how people have adapted and more.
I think there has been an even bigger demand for online dating sites and mobile apps since the pandemic began! There is definitely an increase in use - in fact, sites like OkCupid reported a 700% increase in usage. Tinder broke its own record for the most swipe activity in one day - at 3 billion swipes. It's not just that online and mobile dating are the best option for romantic dating right now, for many it's the ONLY option if they want to remain socially distanced.
People are using them even more now - alongside other forms of social media technology and video conferencing - for so many purposes including dating, but also in other domains like work, school, and (of course) everyday interactions.
Another thing people are talking to each other about is their vaccine status. Personal health is a real concern for people during COVID, and many daters are simultaneously trying to communicate that clearly (even on a profile!) while making sure that they are associating with potential partners who also take the pandemic seriously.