In the last 8 years, the dating landscape has tremendously changed and that change has come about through technology. The advent of dating apps, in our forever increasingly busy lives may be seen by some as a breakthrough in social interaction, providing quicker, easier and in the moment ways to connect. But can an avatar coupled with some minor information, really replace live interaction, feelings, pheromones and gut instinct of when you first meet face-to-face?
It is more than fair to say; that not everyone is looking for that special one in their lives. Many people are looking to just hook up with anyone that takes their fancy. But in using these app services that seem to be aimed more for the sexual encounter, than leading to love, are we being naive about the possible social implications? Or are they completely harmless since many of these apps have secure confidentiality protocols?
First of all, let's look at the apps that are out there, in order to determine how they could potentially get us in trouble.
| KRUSH Sending you suggestions of potential matches via Facebook friends and their friends, the Krush algorithm monitors people's interests and activities, then selects people that it thinks are compatible with you. From the profiles sent, you then choose to 'Like' or 'Skip' people. If you like them and they don't (or vice versa) nobody is informed of any embarrassing revelations. If you both like each other, you are both notified. |  |  |
| DOWN Formerly known as Bang With Friends, this app bared no pretension as to what it was for, until the name change. Surprisingly, this app in its workings is quite sophisticated, especially in its honesty factor, as it gives the user a choice to pick between people they would like to actually date and those they would only like to hook up with. Down also relies on the pooling your Facebook friends and their friends and so on. Choices are made by swiping up to get a date, swiping down to hook up and swiping left to say hell no! |  |  |
| TINDER One of the first dating apps of its kind, Tinder has over 50million subscribers and remains one of the crazier apps because it specialises in finding people who are in your general location so you can hook up and do whatever straight away. Tinder it would seem is about instant gratification, but what you do when you meet up, is not written in stone...the same selection process is used via Facebook, creating a simplified profile of you. You can also add live in-the-moment photos. |  |  |
| OMEGLE The tagline is Talk To Strangers...okay, so basically you chat by text (Spy mode) or via webcam. You can chat to a random stranger or a random stranger that specifically has the same interests as you. I have nothing more to say. Other than with this app in particular children have to be truly safeguarded as this could easily be used in the most negative of ways with horrendous consequences. |  |  |
| BLENDR Blendr is a spin-off from Grindr which was the first location dating app, that kick-started this whole industry. Where as Grindr was for gay men, Blendr is for straight people and is billed more along the lines of find a friend. Criticisms have been made due to the differences between the 2 apps, as it would seem that Blendr is too much of a bog standard dating app and not the chance to get your rocks off, which is what the people want! |  |  |
| INSTAMOUR A very interesting take on the dating app, as your profile is a video which means you get to hear the voice, pick up on tell-tell body language-signs and the general personality of a person. It also means that old photos, of when you use to look good are not going to help you here. Other services include live video chat, virtual phone calls and instant messaging. Some people clearly need media training... |  |  |
| TWINE Twine is the dating app that supposedly puts personality first. Twine doesn't show you pictures of potential matches, instead you are given a collage of images connected to a person that denotes their interests. Their age, location and sex is also shown and so coupled with that info, if you like what their canvas says about them, you can show an interest by texting them whilst staying anonymous. You can later request for them to 'reveal' themselves and if they oblige, then you can then see their name and photo. |  |  |
| LULU Exclusively for women, Lulu allows users of Facebook to negatively or positively rate men on their personal, sexual and romantic appeal. The evaluations are posted anonymously for this female only private network and some of the elements men are judged by, are on manners and career ambitions. |  |  |
| CHECK HIM OUT Another app focussed on women controlling the environment. Men put their profiles up, but only women have the option to scroll, evaluate and literally 'shop' for them, putting the dudes in their cart/bag if they like them. Men can only make contact after a lady has 'checked' him out just like an online shop. |  |  |
APP CONS
Lets be straight, apps that focus on immediate hook-ups, could put you in immediate danger, you don't know who you are going to meet and you don't know the truth of their personality or mind state. Also, what these apps don't provide you with, is a sexual history, you may not mind sleeping with someone who has had 200 partners...this year, but if you land yourself with an STD you will not be pleased. Since a lot of these apps rely on Facebook friends and friends of friends, the 6 degrees of separation scenario may also come back to bite you, as you find out that you just slept with your bosses_________. How is that for compromising your professional career, as you learn the hard way, that the divide between social media and the rest of the world is not that big. To add insult to injury you could end up with a profile on Lulu where past conquests start conferring about you because they all know each other.
APP PROS
You will find someone to play with.
You can go from having no plans whatsoever to an immediate date.
You can meet people instantly.
You can entertain yourself.
You can build your self-esteem...sort of or actually confirm your miserable existence.
Whatever you decide to do remember:
Lets be straight, apps that focus on immediate hook-ups, could put you in immediate danger, you don't know who you are going to meet and you don't know the truth of their personality or mind state. Also, what these apps don't provide you with, is a sexual history, you may not mind sleeping with someone who has had 200 partners...this year, but if you land yourself with an STD you will not be pleased. Since a lot of these apps rely on Facebook friends and friends of friends, the 6 degrees of separation scenario may also come back to bite you, as you find out that you just slept with your bosses_________. How is that for compromising your professional career, as you learn the hard way, that the divide between social media and the rest of the world is not that big. To add insult to injury you could end up with a profile on Lulu where past conquests start conferring about you because they all know each other.
APP PROS
You will find someone to play with.
You can go from having no plans whatsoever to an immediate date.
You can meet people instantly.
You can entertain yourself.
You can build your self-esteem...sort of or actually confirm your miserable existence.
Whatever you decide to do remember:
- A reputation is not an easy thing to mend.
- The world is a lot smaller than it use to be.
- And some diseases have no cure.
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