How the pandemic is changing the way young people are approaching relationships

With the use of social media apps and dating sites, young people are using the virtual space to their advantage in finding love.

A bouquet of flowers next to a phone. Representation of engagement of affection in relationships through COVID-19 and lack of in-person affection except via phone. (photoguns via Pexels)

Compared to before the pandemic, many people, even though having met someone online, are still hesitant to take that step forward to meet in-person.

Virtual dating has become a popular option as many are using text messages, phone calls and video calls as alternatives for meeting in-person.

Surge in dating apps

Online dating apps and sites have had a record increase in usage since the pandemic has started for lonely singles looking to meet somebody.

According to a report done by WebMD, “Online dating sites are at its all-time high, with messages on Hinge increased by 30 per cent, Match increased by 40 per cent and Tinder with over three billion swipes.”

When spoken with over phone, University of Toronto student Josh Oh said, “I’ve made lots of friends and a couple of relationships from people I texted on Instagram, Snapchat and Tinder.”

Hesitant to meet in-person

A 2017 study on dating behavior and how that would change if there were fear about contracting an infectious disease had been done by a group of psychologists at McGill University and combined with other psychological studies conducted during the pandemic.

The study, featured in a report done by the BBC: The Life Project on pandemic dating behavior, found that “Those who had indicated they felt more vulnerable to disease consistently displayed much lower levels of interest in their prospective live dates.”

Many are waiting for the day restrictions are lifted to meet with one another, hoping the situation gets better in the near future.

“If the restrictions are lifted in future, I would be comfortable meeting up with people I met online. I hope that happens soon so I can,” said Oh.

In a phone interview, University of Waterloo student Sateesh Monga said, “Although I have Tinder myself, I refuse to meet anyone right now. With the people I’m talking to, I’ve made it clear to them my willingness to meet when the situation gets better.”

Emotional woes of the lockdown

With the lockdown in action, many people have opened up to admit that part of the reason why they indulge in these sites and apps is from the desire to feel the emotional connection and attachment that they currently lack.

“People feel the need and desire to have someone just for not feeling the loneliness that quarantine has made us all feel,” said Monga.

With the increase of indulging online, some don’t want to return to in-person dates as the new way is more convenient and eases the anxiety of meeting in-person. Others, however, disagree with this new way.

“If we didn’t have this pandemic on our hands, our love lives would be much simpler. I hope for things to go back to the way they used to be when having physical contact and a connection was much easier and even possible. No pandemic equals less stress,” said Oh.

“With COVID-19, it acts as sort of an invisible barrier preventing some couples to indulge their love deeper together, yet they can’t do anything about it being stuck in current restrictions and a pandemic that’s out of their control.”