Social media, situationships, and “keeping it casual” are all big topics in today’s discussion of dating. Over the years, there have been major changes in the dating world — from meeting through social media to “talking stages” and everything in between. Some express that this new world of dating is confusing to navigate, longing for an old-fashioned romance, while others love these new trends. Let’s delve into how Gen Z expresses love and the 21st-century dating scene.
Technology plays a massive role in relationships every day. Social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok help teens build connections, relate to others, find new interests, and meet new people. Technology has allowed instant connection at the click of a button. Communication has also become immediate, with direct messaging on social media and text messages; reaching out and chatting has never been easier.
However, many people say that social media is ruining romance. It is known for promoting unrealistic expectations and standards for relationships and physical appearance. Social media can also foster feelings of jealousy and self-consciousness within couples. Seeing something you don’t want to see in your partner’s feed, or being told what and what not to do to keep your partner happy, can cause anxiety and add insecurity to your relationship. Posting your partner can also put pressure on a relationship to appear perfect. This pressure can make couples feel as though they can’t “mess up” to maintain the “perfect” relationship in the eyes of their followers. B-CC junior Oli Martin stated, “[Social media] is negative in high school relationships because it’s everyone’s first take at it, and they tend to be already a little immature, especially when confronting situations like breakups.”
“Keeping things casual” has also become a common narrative recently. For many, situationships, hook-up culture, and not putting labels on things have been additions to modern views of dating. This new idea has gained popularity for various reasons, such as not having enough time for a relationship, struggling with communication, and fearing commitment. Communicating solely through social media and text has become a common occurrence, but it can create miscommunication in tone and lead to disconnect in relationships. The fear of commitment is also growing among young people. With commitment comes fears of rejection, intimacy, and losing yourself. These worries drive teens away from committed relationships and toward casual relationships—an easy exit. Martin also expressed, “I think that hookup culture has become a huge thing on social media, and we see it being posted about and talked about amongst our friends, so we usually tend to seek what everyone else seeks, and that’s what’s most popular right now.”
These new relationship tactics have sparked conversation among many as to whether or not they truly represent what loving a significant other should look like. But whatever you agree or disagree with, in today’s day and age, there seems to be a form of relationship for everyone.
