Everyone’s lives have taken an unexpected turn in the last couple of months, due to Coronavirus. People’s everyday lives have been affected, and now more than ever, it’s little things like trips to the grocery store that are being appreciated.
Almost everyone’s routine has changed due to the virus, and for many people of the younger generation, everyday life consists of a little time spent on dating apps like Tinder. The apps are used differently by everyone, though for the majority of people, they are used to meet up with people, and well… hook up. This brings me to think, If everyone is supposed to stay isolated during the times of this pandemic, are these apps still relevant? Will Tinder lose users that do, indeed, use Tinder strictly for when they want sexual activity? Or will the people using Tinder for the reason of having virtual conversations with other users, make up for the ones who aren’t using the app to get random hookups?
I did some research into the topic, as I, as well as many others, were curious to know the answer... What I found it that, Tinder is giving their users warnings to stay safe during these times, and thus, the apps are urging their users to take the necessary precautions to avoid catching COVID-19 but to still use the apps while doing so. When using the app, a message pops up for users addressing that concern that people should not be meeting up, but to continue connecting with people through technology. The message reads as follows: "Tinder users, we’re in this together. Social distancing may have sent you back home, but on Tinder, we’re making it possible for you to stay connected to campus life,” a message specifically directed towards their college student users.
Tinder is encouraging people, not to meet up, but to simply talk to each other using their phones.
“I’ve probably been using Tinder more because there’s nothing to do. I’m talking to people more on here and having more conversations,” said Sean Cleland, 20. Cleland said that he only used to use Tinder before the Pandemic to meet up with people. He had no interest in having a conversation with them through texting or on the phone.
Instead of meeting to hook up, people are keen on having more intricate text conversations and video chatting with each other. “I feel like you can get to know the person better like that, so yeah, I’d be down to just talk to people rather than have an intention of meeting up right away,” Ann-Marie Nolte, 20, said.
Some people are going on Tinder for the sole reason that they’re bored during the pandemic. They have no intention in going out to meet who they match with on Tinder but are feeding their boredom by simply swiping through the possibilities with hopes of just having a conversation. “Welp- just downloaded tinder for the 10000th time. Not because I’ll want to meet up with anyone once this is over, but because I’m bored & don’t mind swiping through profiles while judging on pics and a shitty bio,” tweeted Lauren Rossiter, 23.
Tinder has recently made “Tinder Passport”, a function on Tinder that allows one to connect with people around the world for free until April 30th. Tinder tweeted, “Tinder Passport: Now free for everyone through April 30th with the latest version of the Tinder app. Because social distancing doesn’t have to mean disconnecting.”
Anthony Trikas, 21, a regular Tinder user before, and during the pandemic, says, "the passport feature now being available, makes me want to use Tinder more because it allows me to meet people from all over the world, and I don't know... that's kinda dope because you can meet people from all different areas."
And that's exactly what Tinder is aiming for during these isolated times; social distance, but staying connected through technology. Now, it does not matter the mile radius distance to whom you are matching. You could be vibing with someone across the world, and be content with the fact that you can only talk to them considering the current circumstances.
Opening the possibilities for Tinder users to connect with people from all over the world for free is going to continue, and maybe even expand the operation of the app from their users. For the ones that are going on Tinder during the pandemic to tend to their boredom, they will have an entirely new pool of people to swipe through and interact with.
While the pandemic has put a large gap in social interaction, Tinder is doing what they can in order to keep the human contact going, just virtually.