In the digital age, swiping left or right on dating apps has completely surpassed the traditional way of finding "the one," and has become even more popular during the pandemic. With recent reports that artificial intelligence could have a major impact on the dating world, it's not hard to believe that some couples are now using sites originally intended for social networking to find love. But can you really fall in love on social media?
The concept of finding love through social media is not as impossible as it sounds. With instant connection and the ability to scroll through someone's likes, dislikes, and their favorite memes, it's easy to find common interests with someone and slide into their DMs to start a conversation. As one British-American couple who met through Instagram proved, even something as small as a like or comment can actually lead to a lasting relationship.
In 2015, London native Andrew Dearling told the Daily Mail that while searching for the video game Halo ’s hashtag, he discovered and liked Nashville’s Nicole A photo of Nicole Drummond. From there, the two started liking each other's photos, and the two eventually chatted on iMessage. That was in 2012, and Dearing proposed a year later. The couple tied the knot in the summer of 2014, according to his Insta post at the time. In case you were wondering, yes, they are still together and gave birth to their first child in April 2020. Basically, they are the ultimate love story on social media.
There are many other happy couples who have found love through social media. In fact, wedding website The Knot even lists some examples of lasting social media love stories here.
However, there are some things to be wary of when you develop feelings for someone you meet online. Ignite Dating founder Michelle Begy has spoken of the rise in couples finding love virtually, and she's encouraging people to pay close attention to the depth of their emotions. "You can have feelings for someone you haven't met in real life, but there's a big difference between true love and infatuation."
To make sure the increase in oxytocin isn't skewing your perspective, Bege told Metro that she recommends "reflecting regularly with an outside party [so] people can understand how they feel about a potential partner..." So if in doubt, ask Don't be afraid to ask for help from someone you trust, Bege explains, "This support can help the person take a step back and analyze the relationship to maintain proportion and balance and stop their feelings from running away with them."
Basically, if you find yourself in a relationship through social media, you shouldn't do it solely through a screen. Seeing their face, hearing their voice, and ultimately meeting them in person will help create a connection between you and your potential partner. As Fast Company reports, you can't rely on private messages and instant messages to build a relationship, especially when using social media, which causes an increase in the "feeling" hormone oxytocin.
While the prospect of finding your future soulmate on Instagram or Twitter may sound like the plot of a romantic comedy, you shouldn't make a habit of treating social media like a dating site. As the Huffington Post points out: “Social media is a great tool for meeting interesting people and building relationships, but you have to be smart about how you use it.” Looking for love online can be risky, be it on Tinder or Bumble The same goes for dating on other apps.
But the same goes for real-life dating. Either way, you have to be vigilant and careful to make sure the person you're feeling is actually who they say they are.
Of course, if you're planning to meet anyone in real life for the first time, let someone you trust know when and where you're going, always meet in a public place, and make sure the situation is safe.
