That elusive feeling that has confounded poets, musicians, and philosophers for centuries. Finding love has never been easy, but in the age of technology, it’s arguably become a little bit simpler. With the help of our trusty digital devices, can we navigate the choppy waters of dating with a little more calm, or has the journey just got more complicated?

 The world of online dating has exploded in recent years.  You can now set up a date with a catalogue of strangers without actually having to put yourself in any uncomfortable real life situations and from the comfort of your sofa. With the swipe of a finger, we can now connect with potential partners from all over the world, and others who share our hobbies and interests.  Running apps are the latest go to gadget for love matching.  Take, for example, the Fitbit, and Strava app. These  not only track our steps, calories burned and routes taken, but have also helped and increasing number of users find potential partners. These apps allows us to connect with other users in our area and join fitness challenges together. It’s a great way to meet new people while staying active and healthy.With so many options, you’re bound to find a match with someone who shares your interests and values.

But it’s not just about finding people who are similar to you. Technology has also made it easier to connect with people outside of our usual social circles. With social media and dating apps, we can now meet people who we might never have crossed paths with otherwise. It’s like having a whole new pool of potential partners at our fingertips.

And let’s not forget about virtual reality. While it might seem like something out of a sci-fi movie, VR is quickly becoming a popular tool for dating. With VR dating apps, we can now create avatars of ourselves and interact with potential partners in a virtual world. It might sound a little strange, but for some people, it’s a great way to get to know someone before meeting them in person.

However, while technology can certainly help us in our search for love, it’s important to remember that there are also some downsides to relying too heavily on it.

One of the biggest drawbacks of online dating and social media is that it can be difficult to truly get to know someone through a screen. People can present a certain image of themselves online that may not be entirely accurate, and it’s not uncommon for people to misrepresent themselves or their intentions. This can lead to disappointment and frustration when you finally meet in person, or worse, that ‘person’ may not even be real! (see Catfishing below, and the story of Janessa)

Another issue with technology and dating is that it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available. With so many dating apps and potential partners at our fingertips, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of swiping and matching without ever actually making a real connection. There are also potential privacy and security concerns with using dating apps and social media and it’s important to be careful with the information you share online and be aware of the risks associated with meeting people you’ve never met in real life.

Technology should never be  a substitute for real-life interactions and connections. While it can be a useful tool, ultimately, the best way to truly get to know someone is through face-to-face interactions and spending time together in person.