By Hailey MacDonald, Editor-in-Chief
Let’s face it: everyone uses dating apps. At some point, every 20-something makes a Tinder, Bumble, Grindr, or something of the like. If you haven’t ever had an account, then I’m sure your best friend or someone you’re close to has one.
Tinder has been changing the dating game for almost 10 years. According to a 2018 BBC study, there have been over 57 million Tinder accounts created since the app’s launch, and it has been used in almost every country in the world. It’s the most popular dating app in the entire continent of North America and Europe.
In a poll on the Westerner’s Instagram page, we gathered data from our followers regarding their use of Tinder. The results are in the bar chart on this page, but I’ll break it down. By the way, if you don’t follow the Westerner on Instagram… do it. We post a lot of interactive polls and questions stickers, plus spotlighting a bunch of our articles each week. Check it out: @wnewesterner.
Of the 43 people who took the poll, more than 75% have had a Tinder account, but only about 23% currently have accounts. 42.5% of the responses said that people have hooked up with someone from Tinder, while 34% said they have dated someone from Tinder.
There is a stigma behind Tinder — a lot of people think that users are on there just to find a hookup or sext. In the television series Shameless, Fiona does this. She downloads Tinder and uses it for quick, no-strings-attached hookups with random people in the area.
But, it’s not always like this.
As backed up by our poll results, there are quite a few people who don’t use Tinder merely for hookups. In addition, a survey done by WhatsGoodly in 2015-2017 talked to nearly 10,000 college students and asked them why they used Tinder. The information was further broken down in an article on businessofapps.com.
The survey shows that about 44% of people use Tinder for “confidence-boosting procrastination.” The second most popular reason that people used Tinder was for “other reasons.” Third was for “hookups,” and last, at around 4%, was looking for a relationship. If I had to think about it, I think the “other reasons” would probably be boredom and/or finding someone new to talk to.
Tinder can also present itself as a way to make friends and find new people to talk to in a platonic way. Think about it: during the height of COVID-19, what other options did people have as a way to meet people and build new connections? There was no going to parties, restaurants, or even hanging out with new groups of people. Quarantine and COVID guidelines left people confined to their homes, not making it easy to interact with others in real life.
Because of the state of the world, dating app usage increased notably. A survey done by Statista in April 2020 surveyed 131 United States adults. Out of the responses, 31% of people said they were using dating apps “somewhat more” due to the pandemic, and 22% of people said they were using them “much more.” 34% of people said they were using dating apps “somewhat less” or “much less,” while the remaining 13% did not report an opinion.
Similarly, a Wall Street Journal article claimed that “eight of the largest dating apps in the U.S. saw a 12.6% year-over-year increase in monthly active users in the final quarter of 2020, the biggest such jump in nearly two years.” This information came from a data tracker, Apptopia.
Based on all of the data presented, I think it’s safe to say that most people use, have used, or will use a dating app at some point in their lives. Whether they’re looking for new people to talk to, want to find a local hookup, or are just bored and want to see what the apps are all about, these apps provide a way for people to step outside of their comfort zone and try something new.
Personally, I downloaded Tinder during the pandemic and used it as a way to meet or start talking to people in the area that I recognized. In the past year, I’ve developed friendships with people I matched with on Tinder solely because we exchanged snapchat usernames and began talking throughout the day.
And… yeah — I started talking to my boyfriend after we matched on Tinder. We knew each other, but if we hadn’t used the app to give us the opportunity to connect more directly, then who knows where the two of us would be by now. I don’t think our paths would have crossed without Tinder.
The stigma that exists behind Tinder and other dating apps only being used for hookups has got to go. It’s 2021, we’re in a panda-express, and people are doing the best they can! If you don’t have an account on a dating app but have been thinking about it, use this as a sign to put yourself out there.
Just remember to be safe: physically, mentally, and sexually. If you decide that you want to hangout with someone that you met online, be sure to let your friends or family know where you are going. It’s a good idea to share your location with them if you are comfortable with doing so; and also, texting them periodically throughout the date to let them know how things are going can be a smart move. Maybe set up a code word, and if you text them that word, they need to call you ASAP.
Overall, never do something you are uncomfortable with, and always use your best judgement when making these decisions. Have fun, and happy swiping!
