With 364 million users worldwide, dating apps represent a significant shift in how people meet one another. It is easy to understand why nearly everyone (approximately 95%) uses smartphones rather than computers to use these apps, as you can check your personal data every time you choose—on the bus, at lunch, or while watching TV.
In the emotional pattern of modern young people, a gray area called “situationship” is very popular. As mentioned in the video, situationship is actually a relationship without a clear relationship, no commitment, and no future direction:
People often say that this relationship is complicated, but in fact it is not. In essence, it is just a relationship without a clear definition and no responsibility. It provides emotional and physical intimacy, but relieves the expectation of responsibility.
This is not emotional complexity, but emotional avoidance.
Modern dating culture makes the pathological relationship of “we don’t know who we are” commonplace. People often argue like this, “I’m not ready to fall in love” or “Let it go”… Although these words sound unhamful and elegant, they even seem very mature. But do they really think so? Are they really thinking about it?
In my opinion, these rhetorics are often just a shield for this kind of toxic relationship. This kind of boundary is vague and absurd, which is completely deliberate by people.
All kinds of messy dating social apps such as Tinder、Hinge、Bumble…further strengthen this mentality… In the face of endless personal information and all kinds of exquisite photos, it constantly reminds users that there are many better choices. There is always another person – a better person – which can be found with just a light swipe.
Pew Research Center pointed out that although online dating increases people’s opportunities to contact potential partners, it also makes love relationships more casual and easier to be replaced.
It’s terrible, because it’s reshaping young people’s understanding of interpersonal relationships! Because many people don’t care about learning how to communicate, commit and build stable relationships, but learn to procrastinate, escape and reserve room for choice. This model encourages people to establish connections, but hinders them from maintaining their feelings for a long time. This is not progress, it is a kind of regression!
The following video is very direct – many people are actually trapped in this relationship of “neither lovers nor like friends”, and the more they drag on, the more they consume:
In the end, situationship is not a “new love model” at all. It is an excuse for many young people to find for their immaturity and unwillingness to be responsible.
Reference:
Pew Research Center. (2020). The virtues and downsides of online dating.https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/02/06/the-virtues-and-downsides-of-online-dating/
https://labusinessjournal.com/featured/dating-apps-big-return/
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Geekfd1BmEk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_U5yyGwWf8
Han Tianyong 
Yinan Zhou 
Xinyue HOU