Social media has changed the way people operate. People gain access to news faster, keep in touch with friends and family better, keep themselves more occupied, and many more positive outcomes. However social media is not all positive, it has changed the way people “date” and some would argue that this change is not for the better.

In a recent article by Hump Day called, “Social media, dating and Hookup Culture” he articulates how social media has changed how people interact with each other and ultimately has changed what dating means. In the past people had to pick a time in the future for a planned designated time and place to meet. With social media and texting people no longer plan out dates, they shoot someone a text or Facebook post and meet up then and there.

Also when we meet someone new for the first time we don’t bother getting their phone number or having detailed conversations to get to know them, we send them a friend request via Facebook and start communicating to them over social media to get to know them. People are more likely to say things over the internet that they would never say face to face, which can get them into trouble. This has also led to a hookup culture, where people plan to meet to just hook up and skip the date all together.

Also relationships over social media can be deceptive. People can lie about who they are entirely, and you might think your speaking to a 20 year old good looking girl but instead it’s an old 60 year old man. Even if you have seen the person who you are speaking to, their personality could be completely false. Social media causes people to say things that they normally wouldn’t and make someone seem outgoing, when really their personality could be the opposite.

Social media has taken out the romance and excitement of dating. In the past men had to court woman by opening their doors, paying for dinner, and bringing them flowers. Today you get to know one another so quickly via social media that the excitement of the beginning stages of relationships is rushed or nonexistent all together. The young people in this generation are unhappy with the way dating has changed and social media is a big contributor to that.

The New York Times also wrote an article on this subject called, “The End of Courtship?” written by Denise Hewett that is interesting to check out.