Many factors have impacted dating culture over the centuries. The 1960s saw seismic cultural shifts, with the introduction of liberal ideas about gender equality, and the decriminalization of same-sex relationships. But the most far-reaching changes of more recent times have been brought on by technology: in the mid-1990s, dating went online. Since then, digital matchmaking has become a phenomenon, with upwards of one-in-three relationships being initiated via computers, or even more increasingly, mobile screens. Joining dating site is becoming the ‘go-to’ arrangement for singles looking for convenience. Here are some of the ways modern technology has impacted dating culture.
Fine-tuning relationship aspirations
Not so long ago, people looking for prospective partners had a fairly limited choice of options for socializing. They could congregate in popular locations such as bars or nightclubs, join social clubs, or perhaps rely on browsing through the ‘lonely hearts’ columns in magazines. The advent of online dating has introduced a whole new world of possibilities. That initial commercial dating site launched in 1995 has evolved into a global industry turning over billions of dollars per annum. Anyone seeking to embrace dating culture can now access as many different websites or apps as there are individual tastes. With so many websites to choose from, there are even special review services of dating websites. So let’s say your friend told you to check onenightfriend platform but you don’t know if it would be a good fit for your aspirations. With the advent of these services you can now read a review of onenightfriend.com and only then decide if it’s worth of your time and effort.
Discovering compatible partners
Modern dating technology is focused on bringing together the most suitable people. Unlike the previously mentioned offline scenarios, where singles would have no way of knowing anything about a stranger’s background, now they can use technology to home in on those site members who would be most appropriate for a relationship. Even when completing the application form to join a website, the information provided can be ingathered by inbuilt algorithms that will then compare these details with the responses from other site users. This software can quickly assess which of the other members would be ideal partners based on common aspirations.
Quick communication
There are now so many ways for singles to touch base. They can text, email, join WhatsApp groups, phone, or indulge in video chat. Lines of communication can be maintained between respective website users, no matter the location. Where dating culture is concerned, this has ensured that long-distance relationships are just as feasible as any other type of interaction. Should anyone be separated from their partner due to family, work, or study commitments, there is no longer any reason why this should put a strain on their relationship. The technology widely available online environment guarantees that dating culture can easily overcome obstacles.
Kindling chemistry
Relationships often required time to develop, the respective parties getting to know each other by going on a series of dates or touching base via regular phone calls. The modern equivalent is for dating outlets to provide a secure channel of communication where site users can relax and develop a rapport in a relaxing environment. The 24/7 aspect of modern dating culture means that members of any website can maintain contact whenever is most convenient, allowing a bond to develop much more intensely.
Tech enhancements
Advances in technology are set to create fantastical new experiences and add extra dimensions to dating culture. Innovations such as the advent of virtual technology (VR) means singles will be able to get involved in intense get-togethers, simply by donning the appropriate headgear and becoming immersed in a believable, three-dimensional reality. This might seem like the plot of a sci-fi movie, but VR is already widely available in the gaming industry. Anyone plugged into a computer connection will be able to interact with a version or ‘avatar’ of their partner, and if the software is linked to sensory tools, the possibilities are mind-boggling.