It’s been trending this way for years, but seeing it graphed out like this is shocking.
What do you think are the effects of this drastic change?
It doesn’t split, but I’d guess 99.9% of those online meets are dating apps (rather than other ways of meeting online).
That’s kind of sad, not because there’s any one way people should meet, but because meeting people is now mostly mediated through for profit companies.
I’d honestly be very surprised if that was the case. There’s so many different ways to interact with people online that I expect dating websites to make up a majority, but there’s probably like a 45% spread of things like social media/forum communities, online games, etc. All the kinds of things that used to be done offline (like meeting people through DnD at the local hobby shop) but can be done online or have become largely online thanks to the commodification of existing in public spaces. Shared interests are a great start to a relationship.
Hell, I’d love to see a breakdown of the percentages just to see how many relationships start from 3rd place games like Second Life and VRChat.
