By Jordan Mitchell |Staff Writer|
The popularity of online dating has increased in response to new dating applications offered on smartphones.
A recent study by the Pew Research Center has shown that 27 percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 have used online dating services or applications.
The number of users and participants has tripled within the last two years from 10 to 27 percent, according to the Pew Research Center.
Mark Carrier, a psychology professor at Cal State Dominguez Hills, credited the growing popularity to convenience.
“Looking for other people and portraying yourself are all easier to do through the apps,” said Carrier.
Some students agree that dating applications are more convenient because technology provides quicker methods of communication.
“They’re a fast way to message or talk to someone who would seem interesting,” said student Alba Luviano.
Others, however, argue that online dating can be awkward and is typically utilized for spontaneous sexual encounters.
“I have always felt that dating apps or websites are awkward. It seems very unnatural to me to start a relationship through the internet. Although college students are notorious for hook ups, so I could see how popular these apps are amongst college students,” said student Maria Villalpando.
Although the number of individuals who use dating applications has grown, the likelihood of forming and sustaining a committed relationship is relatively low.
Only five percent of Americans who are married or in a committed relationship said they met their partner online, according to the Pew Research Center.
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