I remember thinking that making fake Match.com or EHarmony accounts was hilarious in middle school. For teens, online dating has somewhat of a poor connotation. I created a Tinder account recently, however, hoping to find something other than that idea. I found that the website relates to a much younger population for far more than just dating.

I created a Tinder account just to try it out. Tinder is an application available on iOS 7+ and Android 2.3+ devices allowing its users to find interesting people within their vicinity. It allows anyone twelve and up to create an account with their Facebook profile and essentially “like” and “dislike” people. When one “swipes right” on a person and he or she “swipes right” one back, the two have matched. They can send messages back and forth. Unlike Match.com, Tinder does not create one a profile to match him or her to people it feels would work well with him or her; it puts the user in total control. All Tinder promises is to provide its users with people in their area; however, the user still chooses his or her own parameters. One can interact with girls and boys, unlike other dating applications. Tinder allows its users to create friends rather than to just find a boyfriend or girlfriend.

The New York Times said that, on average, users “swipe” for ninety minutes daily. A Baylor University study 2014 found that college students spend an average 94 minutes daily texting , so people might be spending just as much time on Tinder as they are texting their close friends. People obviously find a reason to continue the use the website, which I think might have to do with the positive reactionsfrom other users.

“You are gorgeous!” “What is someone so pretty doing on Tinder?” “You’re hilarious!” The confidence boost of Tinder is something I never would have imagined. Yes, it is shallow, but there is something about someone I find attractive and funny thinking I am equally as pretty and humorous. Erika Owen of Paste Magazine described that she also uses Tinder to hear a “you are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen” every so often. There is nothing wrong with a little boost of confidence, right? I joined thinking no one would be interested in me, and I would spend countless hours swiping right to no avail. I, however, was pleasantly surprised to gain over 30 matches in my first day. Tinder, however, can bring some problems. People could get too into the application and fail to connect with people in real life; however, I feel like this is a problem with all social networks. Tinder might give people a false idea of relationships as well. For example, I have yet to message someone; in real life, I am pretty confident when beginning friendships. The aspect of the Internet may boost my confidence in my looks, but I have less fearlessness when it comes to my personality. This can deter my ability to make friendships and make a lot of my Tinder relationships solely based on looks, which I generally advocate against.

Tinder is for creating friendships. The app holds the ability to change things for people who have yet to find a Valentine. I would love to meet a nice boy who will show up at my door with flowers and candy, but I would also like another friend to watch movies and go to Swensons with me. I also cannot wait to use Tinder once I get to college and meet new friends. My first goal, however, might be to learn to not scare off friends with weird pictures of my friends and me.