Tinder is an American geosocial networking and online dating application that allows users to swipe anonymously to like or dislike other profiles based on their photos, a small bio and shared interests. It works through a simple interface that allows users to swipe right to ‘like’ or left to ‘pass’. Once the two users like each other’s profiles, they will be able to exchange messages. It is used widely throughout the world, and this mobile application is available in over 40 languages.
As of 2020, total Tinder users estimate at 66 Million. 72% of the total Tinder users are male, and 28% are women. Over a third of its users are in the age group of 18-29. Statistics depict that over 64% of the Tinder users are from urban areas. The statistics mentioned above shows the levels of penetration of Tinder and how it has occupied a more significant share in the online dating market.
According to Statista, online dating is a $3.08 billion market in 2020 alone. This shows the demand for online dating sites like Tinder, Bumble, Badoo, Happn, Hinge Etc. This COVID-19 pandemic has led to a drastic increase in dating apps users. The data shows that there are 20 million new users of dating apps like Tinder, solely in 2020. Online dating is common among Western countries. These apps gained prominence in India, especially among the girls, in the past couple of years.
There are many instances where women found their life partners through dating apps like Tinder. It means that these dating apps like Tinder are successful to a certain extent. But on the darker side, many fake profiles are being created, and boys are being cheated for money in the name of love. According to Hindustan Times, International police organisation Interpol has issued a notice to its 194 member countries, including India, saying conmen were defrauding people using online dating apps such as tinder while asking their users to be sceptical and vigilant about getting into relationships through these applications.
According to various studies, 28% of the total Tinder users are female, 35% belong to 18-25. It depends on the purpose for which girls are into such online dating apps such as tinder, ok cupid . There are various reasons why people sign up for Tinder.
Reasons for Girls downloading the dating apps like tinder on mobile:
- Curiosity to know what is there in the app
- In search of something convenient to express themselves
- Loneliness due to breakup
- Hope to find someone with an identical personality
- Boredom
Does Tinder work for girls?
The thing is not if Tinder works for girls. It depends on the intention and real purpose for which the girls are into such apps. Some women sign up on Tinder for a casual conversation with new people without any other intention. Tinder would be of great help for such women because they meet new people, and hence new experiences will be shared. This might further lead to finding friends for a lifetime. There is also a good chance of finding people with similar interests and sharing their views and ideas on various aspects.
Women who get into such dating apps as tinder, okCupid etc to unleash their curiosity would not use them for an extended period. After getting to know what is inside the app and how it works, they delete their profiles. For such girls, Tinder will not be of great help. This is the same in the girls who install these apps just because they are bored. Sometimes, even this may lead to finding the love of their life and good friendships.
Some women sign up for such dating apps to find their true love. In this case, Tinder may work to some extent. But we should also think about what is on the other side of the coin. Suppose the women come across fake profiles and other such fraudulent things. In that case, they might hurt their emotions and feelings, which will lead to wrong opinions on this kind of app. Because of this, they will not get back to such apps because of these bad experiences.
If the women are fortunate and if the dice rolls in their favour, they would find their life partner whom they desire for. But the success of such dating apps cannot be estimated promptly. Nevertheless, one should have utmost care while using these apps because no one knows the consequences of their actions. They should not share any sensitive and intimate information until they are sure of everything.
Tinder for girls:
Girls can use Tinder to develop interpersonal relationships with people. They can find new friends, share ideas and thoughts and many more. It is a platform for them to be realistic. They can be picky in finding their friends and acquaintances. They can speak confidently and express themselves. With this, their self-esteem will be boosted.
Generally, on online dating platforms, the girl has the power to be picky; she has the power to ignore hundreds of messages. This was practically proved by various app testers using the experiments. This does not give women the right to cheat on people. We should be fully aware of what we are doing on these apps. They may land people in trouble if anything goes wrong.
Tinder has indeed helped people meet other people—it has expanded the reach of singles’ social networks, facilitating interactions between people who might never have crossed paths otherwise. But this does not mean that the same happens in everyone’s case. So, it is good if we stay as careful and conscious as possible.
Some also believe that the relative anonymity of dating apps, that is, the social disconnect between most people who match them—has also made the dating landscape a ruder, flakier, crueller place. For example, if you go on a date with your cousin’s roommate, the roommate has some incentive to not be a jerk to you. But with apps, “You’re meeting somebody you probably don’t know and probably don’t have any connections with. That’s kind of weird, and there’s a greater opportunity for people to be ridiculous, to be not nice.”
For some singles in the LGBTQ community, dating apps like Tinder and Bumble have been a small miracle. They can help users locate other LGBTQ singles in an area where it might otherwise be hard to know—and their explicit spelling-out of what gender or genders a user is interested in can mean fewer awkward initial interactions.
Also, Tinder is likely to encourage compulsive use. Average users spend 35 minutes a day on Tinder. It combines compulsive smartphone use with gratification. It just becomes an addiction if you get used to it. It will make you feel vulnerable. This will further have an impact on both personal and professional life. So, use it wisely. It will also disturb your mental health if anything goes wrong. It will lead to anxiety, depression, loneliness Etc.
With all this said, one must not wholly rely on dating apps for finding something permanent. According to a study, 11% of the dating app users deleted their profile on these apps because they did not find them safe. On an ending note, I would like to say that using such apps is not wrong but use them by knowing the consequences.
References:
StatistaCosmopolitan
Business of Apps
Hindustan Times
Image Source: Tinder