Online Dating: What Other Teens Are Saying About It

Hello World. It’s the 21st century; the age of social media, the age of easy-everything, and don’t forget easy hook-ups! You meet someone on Instagram, like their pictures, exchange a slew of back and forth messages, and you become something of an item  – all from the comfort of your room!

Many teens  described flirting with a crush by liking their photos or posting a comment on their social media profile. These interactions have their own unwritten – but widely understood – rules. Everything from one’s choice of emoji to the spelling of the word “hey” can carry a deeper meaning. Hear more from them:

I was dating this girl that I met through a social website that probably hardly anybody knows about. So it’s a dating website for teens. … It’s called MeetMe. It was like, oh, what the hell. I’ll try it. And I met a girl. I still talk to her, but we’re not together. – Ayodeji, 16.

I’ve met a person over Instagram, actually. … Direct messaged them. And we talked for about a week, and then I decided he actually seems kind of chill. I’m going to give him my number. And then I took it slow, because meeting someone over the internet isn’t always the best idea. So if you’re going to do it, like do it very carefully. – Sabrina, 18.

Well sometimes you might use social media to see if, like, they’re going out with someone or something.   – Uchechi, 14.

When I have a crush on someone and I want them to know I go on their page and like a lot of pictures in a row. Like all of them. Like, like, like, like, like, like all the pictures. You’re the right cute factor. – Sinbola, 16.

Some also resort to text messaging to express their romantic interests. But for all the advantages digital communication can offer, a number of teens said they are more at ease when talking to the object of their affection face to face.

I usually text my crushes. I flirt with emojis….something like putting yourself out there, and commenting on their picture with a heart emoji. – Priye, 15.

One can be a bolder on text, because you wouldn’t say certain things in person. … You just wouldn’t say certain things when talking face to face with them because that might be kind of awkward. But over text, it’s like, OK. Cause they’re not really there. – Priscilla, 17.

Like the best thing about texting is that you can think about what you’re going to say. And if you don’t like it, you can always get rid of it until the end. With talking, you can’t really do that. – Alexia, 19.

I think texting kind of makes you feel closer because boys are more shy. … But when we text, it seems like it’s so much easier for him to talk to me. So I think he says more stuff, like how he feels through text. – Feyi, 16.

Some of these teens included that their style of communication changes according to the intensity and duration of their relationships. Others mentioned how texting and instant messaging  helped them overcome the shyness they sometimes experience in person, or give them time to come up with the perfect response during conversation.

Some Safety Tips To Consider

• Don’t give out your personal information online. This includes your name, address, where you go to school, or who your parents are.
• Don’t meet anyone alone.
• Meet in a public place – and stay in that public place rather than leaving with your date – for at least a few times if you do decide to meet.
• If you feel pressured to do something you’re not comfortable with, leave.
• Trust your instincts.
• Don’t go anywhere in secret. Tell someone where you’re going, who you’re meeting, and when you expect to be back.
• Drugs and alcohol are total No – No, but always get your own drinks rather than letting your date go purchase it and bring it to you. Date rape drugs are a real possibility, especially when you’re with someone you don’t know very well.

See Also: Sexual Abuse: 7 Things You Should Know To Keep You Safe