By Nadia Anwar-Watts, Fourth Year, Music and German
In a world where almost everything is just a click, swipe, or tap away, it’s no surprise that our approach to dating has followed suit. In the past, love was something you stumbled upon—an unexpected encounter that swept you up in a whirlwind of desire. Now, with just under a third of couples having met online, love has become something to actively seek out—an algorithmic pursuit for some. Dating apps have firmly established themselves as the dominant way to find a partner, surpassing traditional methods like introductions through mutual friends or workplace romances. But for young people, are they truly fostering deeper connections, or turning the search for romance into an uninspiring and superficial habit?
The pandemic reminded many of us of the importance of connections, as a fundamental part of the human experience. Having had these connections restricted during lockdowns, it became apparent that most of us don’t mind turning to virtual means of connecting with people, with many turning to digital platforms in search of both friendships and romance. Dating apps experienced a surge in activity during the pandemic, with a 46 per cent increase in registrations. Since then, registrations have continued to rise year on year, with the number of online dating users worldwide increasing from 250 million in 2020, to 323 million in 2024. It’s clear that the convenience and accessibility of dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble have solidified their place in modern dating culture - but their widespread use isn’t always about finding a lasting relationship. For many, they serve an entirely different purpose - as a fun, low-effort way to meet new people or to simply act as a source for validation.
To investigate this issue further, Epigram spoke to a number of students to understand their perspectives on this digital approach to dating. Caroline, a fourth-year student, admitted, ‘It’s not like I’m looking for the love of my life - if I was, I wouldn’t be doing it on dating apps. It just feels like a fun, young person thing to do.’ She also remarked that using these mediums can simply act as an easy way to meet new people, even if the new relationships don’t go anywhere romantically.
Olly, also in her fourth year, reflected on the appeal of instant validation, noting that ‘Just the knowledge that someone sees my profile and finds me attractive is a bit of a confidence boost. I haven’t actually used [hinge] to go on any dates recently - it's easy to just take that validation from it and forget the purpose you downloaded it.’ It seems that, whilst dating apps can be fun and an easy way to meet people - they are, by design, as much about self-esteem as they are about dating; underscoring a shift from seeking meaningful connections to chasing superficial affirmations.
Epigram also spoke to Maisie, a third-year student, who has grown disillusioned with the online dating scene. ‘I used to have Hinge and Tinder in my first year, and I went on a couple of dates, but they didn’t go anywhere. I’ve realised that I don’t want to ever say about the person I end up with, or any future partner, that “I met them on Hinge”, so there’s no point in me using them anymore.’ This reluctance to fully embrace dating apps as a legitimate path to long-term relationships is not uncommon. Online dating has created a particular phenomenon whereby profiles are judged based on a series of curated photos and snappy prompts, reducing the depth and trivialising connections, leaving dating app users feeling shallow and unmotivated.
'It's easy to just take that validation from it and forget the purpose you downloaded it ' - Olly, Fourth year
This lack of depth is something sociologist Marie Bergström has explored in her research on online dating. In conversation with Donna Ferguson in a 2022 article for The Guardian, she argued that while dating apps make it easier to connect with new people, they also make it just as easy to withdraw. ‘It is easier to have a short-term relationship, not because it’s easier to engage with partners, but because it’s easier to disengage. These are people who you do not know from elsewhere, that you do not need to see again.’ With no mutual friends, shared spaces, or social obligations to hold people accountable, disappearing, or ‘ghosting’, becomes effortless. This, combined with the seemingly endless stream of potential matches, can leave users hesitant to invest in any one person, always wondering if something better is just another swipe away.
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Ultimately, dating apps have reshaped the way people approach romance, offering accessibility, variety, and convenience. But as their influence continues to grow, so does the debate over whether they foster genuine connections or simply encourage a cycle of fleeting interactions. For some, they are a fun and effective way to meet new people, while for others, they feel like a shallow, transactional experience.
Perhaps the real issue isn’t the apps themselves, but how they are used—whether as a tool for meaningful connection or just another form of digital distraction. While technology continues to shape modern love, one thing remains unchanged: the desire for connection, in all its forms, is as present as ever.
Featured Image: Epigram / Daisy Yates
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