Love and technology: How apps are changing the dynamics of dating
That technology is changing our lives is something we cannot deny. It is increasingly present in our lives with the aim of making our lives easier in many occasions. And that technology is making our way of loving and flirting is changing radically.
If we think back, a couple of decades ago flirting was the same for everyone. You had to go out and meet people. That was the only option. The only technology that existed was at most the landline phone, where you had to call the other person to talk to them. That was a challenge because it used to be embarrassing if their parents showed up and you had to ask for the person you wanted to talk to.
Fortunately, technology continued to advance to the point where we are now. It can be said that since the first cell phones arrived, things started to change. From that moment on, dependence on the landline became less and less and this led to greater independence.
How did you flirt with the first cell phones?
The first cell phones didn’t really allow us to flirt, but they did allow us to have contact once we met a special person. With the first mobiles you could only chat through the well-known SMS, tap and call the person directly.
The SMS, although expensive, were a great help to flirt and especially to flirt with the person we wanted. Through SMS we could keep in touch and know how the other person was doing, meet or send some SMS to raise the temperature and look for something more.
Cell phone calls also became popular. It is true that today it is seen as something absurd, but giving a touch to the other person was synonymous that you were thinking about them. It was common, especially among young people, to give a tap and wait for the other person to return it. It was something gratuitous, but it showed love. As we said, now that is seen as something unthinkable. But when there was little credit, it was something more common than we think.
Calls were only made when they were really necessary or we wanted to hear the other person’s voice. We have to remember that calls were expensive, not like now that they are usually included in the rate and are less and less used.
How has new technology changed the way people flirt?
Cell phones and chat rooms have been evolving, making the way people flirt has changed a lot. If before everyone had to go out on the street to flirt and meet people, even if it was through introductions, now things have changed a lot.
It is true that there are still people who go out on the street to meet people in nightclubs or through introductions from third parties. But the truth is that technology has changed a lot that way of flirting.
If we analyze the app market, we can see that more and more people are using applications like Tinder to flirt. The dating app market is very wide. These apps are used to meet people from a distance. And if the conversation flows, there is always the option of meeting in person to see if there is chemistry and the relationship can go further. Of course, these apps can also be used for casual encounters. The important thing is to be clear about what you are looking for to find it easier.
Apps are here to stay and we can see that in their evolution. If until recently there were only two apps counted, now there are many options to choose from. What is clear is that there are more and more users who use them to meet people and that makes the market of options bigger and bigger. Of course, using a dating app is not synonymous with quick success. Sometimes you have to be patient to find the person you want. What is clear is that breaking the ice through an app is usually easier.
But technology has not only changed our way of flirting through apps, but also our way of relating and communicating with the person we love.
If in the past we used SMS to communicate, now we use social networks and instant chats like WhatsApp or Telegram among others. Through them we communicate with the person we love to feel a little closer when we are not by their side. However, WhatsApp is undoubtedly the most used option. For example, it can be used to know how the day is going, to meet up or even for sexting. This last option is becoming increasingly fashionable.
Technology is changing the dynamics of dating, with apps being the big players. But despite the fact that technology has a lot of protagonism, in the end face-to-face dates are the most important. As much as we want to flirt through a screen, if we really want to finish the experience we always have to meet in person. It is clear that everything is changing, but the ultimate goal remains the same, to be next to the person we want or want to meet. Technology helps us, as long as we adapt to the changes. We say this because some people adapt sooner than others. We say this because a few years ago, flirting through an app was even frowned upon, today it is seen as something normal.