I first started properly dating when I began university. Moving to a city meant there were more romantic options compared to what was on offer in my little village back home in the countryside. This was incredibly exciting for me, so I downloaded Hinge, Bumble, and Tinder. Dating became a hobby of mine, and I’d laboriously swipe through all the profiles searching for potential matches. I met a few people, but no one ever became more than a friend. One of the issues of online dating is the disparity between someone’s virtual presence and their real-life personality. You can never really gauge if you like a person based on pictures and a short bio. Charisma, quirks, and accents can only be truly appreciated in person. 

That said, dating apps offer a plethora of options for those who wish to dip their toe into the current dating pool. The saying: ‘there’s plenty more fish in the sea’ has never been more true. And the problem is, there’s too many fish in the sea, which makes people hesitant to commit. Everyone knows that as soon as something goes wrong with someone you’re seeing, you can download a dating app again and jump straight back in. And ghosting someone you no longer fancy has become the norm. 

The superficiality and surface-level nature of dating apps makes some people think they can treat you with a lack of respect. I’ve received unsolicited dick pics, rude comments, and creepy messages. You wouldn’t be so quick to flash your genitalia to a stranger in a public space, so what makes you think it’s okay to harass someone on a digital platform? 

I’d like to see more accountability, honesty, and empathy when it comes to online, modern dating. I’m sick of games, ghosting, and being stood up or cancelled on at the last minute. How has this throwaway culture become accepted as the norm? My ultimate wish is that we all start treating each other better. 

*Photo by Gary Chan on Unsplash