It seems there is a new website popping up on the Internet every millisecond. One of the latest is hetexted.com, a website designed to decode those tricky texts and assist you in how to reply. Hetexted.com is a “Q&A service” that allows users to upload their texted conversation anonymously and allow other users to vote: “He’s into you”, “He’s not into you” or “Verdict is still out”. The site also offers sections titled “Ask A Bro”, where you can pick from a group of men and they will answer your questions.
This website is either a genius idea or a big step back for women everywhere. It’s the cliché that women sit together for hours trying to figure out what the text from their latest crush or hook up really meant. This website just adds a different way women can do it. Instead of having their friends contemplate those little typed letters, they can take it to the cruel world of the Internet and see if a total stranger thinks he’s into you. While it always seems like a good idea to get the insight of someone who isn’t close to the situation, in this case it may work against you. Sometimes you need to have the background knowledge of the guy, or your relationship, in order to know if he is into you. The majority vote could be easily flawed.
While HeTexted is growing in popularity, some of the female students on the Michigan State University campus don’t seem overly impressed with it. Journalism junior Becky McKendry questions its helpfulness. “It seems like kind of a novelty; it doesn’t seem actually helpful from first glance. From what I saw, people don’t give feedback on the texts, they just vote if they think the person likes them or not,” said McKendry. “Intent behind communication varies so much person to person. I’m wary of anything that encourages people to try to provide “expertise” by encouraging them to dissect and dwell on relationship communication, beyond sitting down and having a conversation with a close friend or the person involved.”
McKendry has a different view on the dating game. She has been with her husband for over five years, but even those on the MSU campus still dating are wary of the service. “I think this website is entertaining and kind of funny. However, maybe not the best way to determine the fate of a relationship,” said professional writing sophomore Riley Cortright. “I think it isn’t really that helpful. If you need the help of strangers to figure out if he’s into you, he’s probably not into you.”
McKendry and Cortright share their views on the uselessness of the new site, but there are some on campus that still see where it could benefit. Bobby McKenzie, an animal science Junior who just recently became engaged to her boyfriend of eight years, says she can see where people could find it useful, but they shouldn’t rely too heavily on the website. “It’s interesting,” said McKenzie. “I guess if you want opinions from others on maybe pursuing a guy or girl, or not to with a majority vote, it could be useful.” McKenzie added there are still many outside factors preventing it from being truly useful. “People are complicated and sometimes texting can send weird messages,” said McKenzie. “I guess it could work, but best to go with your instincts and maybe ask the guy or girl yourself.”
While hetexted.com is slowly gaining many viewers online, it isn’t having a very big impact on those around the MSU campus.