What are the actual problems with dating apps, in case you were wondering
RAW dating app recently conducted a survey among three thousand Gen Z New Yorkers aged 20-28 and of all genders, that has shed light on some concerning aspects of dating apps.
- Half of all users reported a negative experience, and a shocking 82% admitted to being ghosted at least once.
- Additionally, nearly 78.37% of Gen Zers expressed experiencing online dating burnout.
- Ghosting is common, and affected 43% of users, and 52% reported encountering ‘catfishing’.
All of this really drives home just how crucial it is to create a safer online dating space.
Here are some stories that Gen Zers shared during the survey.
“I’ve been texting with this guy on Bumble, and I was starting to think that he’s the one — we had a lot in common and liked the same things in general. The only problem was that a few hours before our date he sent me his real photo. Sadly, the mood was off since I don’t date teenagers,” Natalie, 28, says.
Nadia, 25, actually had to face the liar: “I met a guy on Hinge, and kinda liked him. When I came to our date he looked the same but slightly different. Turned out he put some old photos from 2016 on his profile. I made up a reason and left quickly.”
Isn’t it disappointing when you seem to hit it off, and then your crush disappears for no reason? Ghosting is a major problem in the online dating culture. A RAW’s study found that respondents had ghosted 29% of the people they had dated, and had been ghosted by 25% of dates themselves.
Dan, 29, describes his experience with ghosting as “tragic.” “We had a wonderful date and talked about future plans. She seemed to be interested and even proposed we go away for the weekend, but never replied to me back after the date.”
In the ongoing effort to combat toxic behavior in online dating, RAW has introduced two new features – a ‘Respect Meter’ that publicly shows green or red flags and a ‘No Ghosting’ rule that stops you from starting a new chat with your new crush if you already have too many ongoing unreplied conversations.
According to a survey of the feature’s performance, 70% of all users mentioned feeling safer while using the app and reported an overall sense of being in a secure dating environment. Additionally, 60% replied that they have started to consider other people’s feelings while communicating within the app, and 53% noticed that their online interactions with matches have become less toxic.
The “Respect Meter” is a new concept in online dating
It empowers users to assess and rate each other’s communication styles and behavior patterns as they navigate their dating journey. This system makes it easier to understand who we are connecting with, taking away any confusion and promoting honest conversations.
On RAW, when you check out someone’s profile, you’ll see red, green or beige flags. Red flags are for things to be cautious about, while green flags are for positive stuff. And beige, is a behavior that is kind of strange without quite crossing into full-on freaky territory. Red flags on RAW can include being unresponsive, canceling a date at the last minute, sending creepy photos, or constantly talking about their ex. On the other hand, green flags would be suggesting a great place to go, being reliable, asking questions, and being an interesting person who’s ready for something serious. However, these things might look differently to different people, so it’s up to you to leave feedback. This feature also helps to get to know the person better — like whether they prefer texting or talking on the phone. You can learn and maybe even adjust your communication style for a better connection.
‘Respect Meter’ isn’t there to judge or label people. Users can’t manipulate the rating, because the service provides all flags. Everything is handled politely and neatly — you can’t just write whatever you want and create a toxic environment. Instead, it’s about creating an environment where everyone understands and respects each other. It’s designed to help users feel more confident while dating, promote positive behavior, and encourage a culture of respect.
Ghosting killer arrives
Above all, to prevent ghosting, RAW has a limit on the number of unanswered chats. When you reach the limit and want to message someone new, you’ll need to go and respond to old chats first or uncrush them. If you start a chat, be brave enough to finish it — don’t disappear for no reason. Uncrush if there’s no chemistry, but keep things respectful.