Remember those days when we didn’t have cell phones or Facebook and you actually had to talk to people in person to get to know them? Technology has changed tremendously in the past few years and is beginning to change the way we meet potential boyfriends and girlfriends. Relationships as we know them might never be the same.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane where it all started when Facebook chat was non-existent and people had interesting “screen names” on AOL Instant Messenger. Back in the day, young teens and young adults used this source of technology as a tool for flirting. I’ll admit, I remember having a few IM chat conversations with my middle school crushes. This was fun, but people still needed to use verbal communication a lot more, since not everyone had the time to be glued to their computers. Now fast forward to the world of iPhones, where you can basically instant message someone with the touch of your figures, anywhere at any time. Not only has texting become so much easier and faster, our high-tech phones come with hundreds of apps that have also changed our relationships…
Let me just refresh your memory with some apps:
One of the most popular apps, “Snapchat” has definitely changed our communication culture. Admit it, I know most of you ladies out there have probably tried to send cute selfies of yourself to the guy you are crushing on right before you go out at night to capture their attention! On the other hand, if you have a boyfriend, you probably snapchat them on a daily basis. This app is one of the most popular forms of flirting in today’s world. You can even have a conversation via Snapchat if you wanted to by captioning your pictures. This app is especially helpful for those in long distant relationships or for those seeking a relationship.
Another app you may have already heard of is “Tinder.” Some people use this as a joke, while others, well, take it seriously. This app allows you to either “like” or “dislike” people within your area solely on the likes of their physical appearance. If there is a mutual like, it notifies you with the match.
One of the more interesting and quite comical apps is “Lulu.” This app is supposed to be used only by females, allowing them to rate guys and critique them on their looks, personality, sexual performance and more. Ladies often use this as a tool to stalk potential relationships or to verbally tare their ex’s apart via social media.
What about Facebook? We can’t forget how Mark Zuckerburg changed our dating culture tremendously. Can you imagine life now without being able to stalk cute guys on Facebook? You come home from a party, talk to one of these cute guys but you only know his first name… The next morning you have probably found yourself searching him on Facebook, easily being able to find him because of your mutual friends. You basically feel as if you know a person you haven’t met just by looking through their Facebook pictures. Our world has come to the point where looking at a Facebook profile can actually be the reason why someone would want to pursue the relationship further, or….end it.
So, it is evident technology has changed our relationships in both positive and negative ways. It definitely tends to make people a little more socially awkward when it comes to talking in person, since communicating via Facebook and texting is so much easier. But, there are also many perks as well. For one, those who are in long distance relationships have it so much easier now than before with the help of FaceTime, Facebook, Snapchat, texting and even just a simple phone call. For those not in relationships, it also can help them begin one so much easier than before.