“We are young / Heartache to heartache we stand / No promises, no demands / Love is a battlefield,” Pat Benatar’s words can still resonate with the youth of today, but our battlefield has since transformed and now computer, to computer we sit aching for an online profile. A Pew survey revealed that 18 percent of 18 to 29 year olds are participating in some form of online dating. It is a new world within which to meet more people than ever before, but that also comes with its fair share of perverts and frauds. Some aspects of life should be reserved for in the flesh and allowed to unfold organically.
With Tinder being an exception, online dating is more often a place to find relationships that are deeper than a one-time hook-up. Students can go to a party or bar to find some hottie for the night, but “meaningful relationship” just is not the vibe people give off at those places. However, DU students don’t seem all that interested in online dating. DateMySchool, a site designed for college students with over 440,000 active members, is home to only one DU student. In addition, from simply speaking with various undergrads it appears that DU students want to stick with traditional forms of meeting each other.
But according to a recent study by IBISWorld, a market research firm, one third of recently wedded couples started their relationships online. So shouldn’t we take advantage of this trend? Clearly people are falling in love online all the time, but then again, they don’t always know who they’re falling for.
Catfish is a newly coined term that refers to someone using a fake online profile to seduce other people. Whether they are lying about who they are or just sending altered photos, online relationships have a high probability of being perpetuated through deception. It could be some jerk who likes taking advantage of people or someone who has low self-esteem and just needs a little compassion, but you never know who is behind the message board.
There is no denying that it can be difficult to meet people and for the people you meet you may only be interested in a select few. Even here on campus, it is easy to see people you don’t know, but actually introducing yourself can be challenging. It does, however, seem the more secure route. Without trying to diminish the effectiveness of online dating or people’s interest in doing that, let’s promote some face-to-face interaction at DU. No one wants to seem desperate, but college is all about networking and making connections. Speed dating might be a little too cheesy or awkward for some people, so why not just encourage interaction at events our students already attend? As students on a campus that love programing, we have no excuse not to go out and expand our social horizons.
Whether it be the DUPB movie on Thursdays or the Big Event, it is time to get out, take a chance and meet some people. You never know if you will find your new best friend or your future spouse. If you feel nervous, others feel the same too, so go out and initiate student involvement. Be the change you wish to see on our campus. And hey, if you want to follow up with your new friends on Facebook there is no better place to learn what people are up to. Be genuine whether in person or online, and don’t forget that now is the time to take opportunities.
