Tinder has taken the college student population by storm. It is an app some use for boredom, compliment searching, hookups, or dating. Recently, a few of my closest friends have hopped on the Tinder trend, and I’ve been trying to weigh the pros and cons of making a Tinder account for myself.
PROS
It’s designed for hookups
Not that I am saying everyone needs a hookup, but this app certainly goes out of its way to make it easy and not so awkward for the people who are interested in exploring their options. From being able to adjust the parameters of where your matches can be, to being able to very quickly match and unmatch with people, Tinder takes away all the awkwardness of face to face flirting and potential rejection.
It’s entertaining
Swipe right, swipe left, right, right. The way the app is set up, it’s almost like a game. The goal of the game: “super like” the hottest person you can and hope they’ll “super like” you back!
All the compliments you want
Everyone likes a compliment every now and then. It’s nice knowing that someone other than your mom notices that you have a nice face. Tinder matches often start messages with “Hey cutie” or “Wow ur so hot.” It’s flattering to know that someone else thinks you’re attractive.
It’s a way to meet people
Any online communication platforms these days make it easier to meet people than ever before. There are around 50 million Tinder users worldwide, so it is inevitable that you will meet someone interesting that you didn’t already know.
CONS
Not going to be swept off your feet with romance
I don’t know of any people whose Tinder match ended up being their knight in shining armor. I don’t doubt that some people have ended up this way, but most of my friends’ matches only ever lead to snapchat communication.
Hella judgements
You literally see their pictures and swipe left if it’s a hard “no” on the looks. If it’s a maybe, you swipe right. It’s a very superficial way to decide if you think a person is worth hanging out with.
People are weird
There are weirdos everywhere and the fact that they can be creepy behind the screen of technology makes it worse.
Only one superlike
This is actual bullshit. Apparently, I can only tell one guy a day that I think he is VERY attractive. Choose your super likes wisely…
DRAMA
Of course, there will be drama with an app made for hookups. Your friends might match with you, or with your match, or get more matches than you. While most mature people would probably handle any of those situations with ease, this app invites people to be superficial and it isn’t too far fetched for people to get tangled up in its mess after they’re done swiping.
The Verdict: Will I get a Tinder?
Nope. I think the cons outweigh the pros, but I do enjoy hearing about how much fun my friends have with it!