Chapter 19. Technology and Romance: Trends for U.S. Adults

19.1 Synopsis

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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.

Welcome

Technology and Romance: Trends for U.S. Adults

This activity shows current and historical trends in how U.S. adults meet their romantic partners. It closely examines how technology, especially online dating sites and mobile apps, has affected their relationships and attitudes about dating.

Click the 'Get Started' button below to start this activity

Color image of a man and woman embracing each other, smiling and looking like they are in love.
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19.2 Where U.S. Adults Met Their Spouses or Partners—1995 and 2010

Technology and Romance: Trends for U.S. Adults

Twenty years ago, couples were most likely to meet via family members, friends and coworkers, or school. Today, while couples are still most likely to be introduced by friends and coworkers, a growing number are connecting online—either through online dating sites or smartphone apps.

Click on each year to see how adults in various age groups met their significant others.

Data from Rosenfeld & Thomas, 2012.




19.3 U.S. Adults Who Have Used Online Dating Sites or Apps

Technology and Romance: Trends for U.S. Adults

Ten years ago, very few U.S. adults of any age used online dating sites or mobile apps. However, significant increases in the number of adults using dating sites and apps are evident, even in the last two years alone.

Click on each year to see how many in each age group have used dating sites or apps.

Data from Smith & Anderson, 2016.




19.4 Attitudes About Online Dating: Those Who Have Tried It Versus Those Who Haven't

Technology and Romance: Trends for U.S. Adults

Online daters are mostly positive about the advantages and disadvantages of dating digitally: A majority of them agree that online dating has distinct advantages over other ways of finding romance. However, a sizable minority of online daters agree that meeting people online can have potential negative consequences.

Click on each button to see what percentage of adults agree with each statement.

Data from Smith & Duggan, October 21, 2013.




19.5 Technology and Romance: Trends for U.S. Adults

Technology and Romance: Trends for U.S. Adults

Color image of a man and woman embracing each other, smiling and looking like they are in love.
Yaromir/Shutterstock

Question 19.1 Technology and Romance: Trends for U.S. Adults

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Answers will vary based on your attitudes about online dating. Sixty-six percent of online daters have gone on a date with someone they met through a dating site or app, an increase of 23 percent from 2005 (Smith & Anderson, 2016). However, this means that one-third of online daters have not yet met in person someone with whom they connected online.

19.6 Activity Completed!

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REFERENCES

Rosenfeld, Michael J. & Thomas, Reuben J. (2012). Searching for a mate: The rise of the Internet as a social intermediary. American Sociological Review, 77(4), 523–547.
doi: 10.1177/0003122412448050

Smith, Aaron & Anderson, Monica. (2016, February 29). 5 Facts about online dating. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center.

Smith, Aaron & Duggan, Maeve. (2013, October 21). Online dating & relationships: Methods. Internet, Science & Tech. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center.