From competing in a social hierarchy to building relationships, high school students often feel the need to conform to social norms. As these pressures collide with a dependence on social media, it’s no surprise students have taken to online platforms for an answer. The online dating phenomenon is one of these solutions. According to a poll, __ percent of Blue Valley students use Tinder, the most popular application for meeting single people over the internet.

“So how Tinder works is you either swipe left, [which means] you do not want to match with that person or you swipe right [which means] you do,” junior Lunden Elston said. “ And if the other person swipes right, too, then it’s a ‘match’ and you’ll start to message each other and go from there. There’s also swiping up, which is a ‘superlike,’ and they will get a notification that you [did so]. ”

Elston is among BV students who socialize on Tinder.

“I got a Tinder last year because I wanted to meet new people,” Elston said. “It’s a fun time. It’s funny to just mess with people and get attention.”

Unlike most high school users, Elston takes online dating to a new level.

“[I’ve gone out with] a good 30 to 40 people.” Elston said. “I’ve probably gone on a second date with 1 out of every 10 people.”

Not every Tinder user is as committed to finding a serious relationship. Senior Alex Stanek uses the app in a more casual way.

“[I downloaded Tinder] for fun mainly. A serious relationship off of Tinder — is that even a thing?” Stanek said. “You could [meet someone] if you really tried, but it also depends on the person you’re talking to.”

With online dating, Stanek said there are some personal preferences and reservations.

“[I look for] guys who play sports,” Stanek said. “If I see them in a baseball uniform, it’s my thing. [But] I never message first. I’m too self-conscious about it. I feel like if I do, it has to be funny or witty, and I’m neither.”

While Elston’s search may take a different path, he also shared similar hesitations.

“They just have to be really cute,” Elston said. “If I start to talk to them after that and they’re not interesting, I just stop responding. I don’t look at a bio unless it’s funny and I never message first — that’s my one rule.”

Though online dating is prevalent today, Stanek said the quality and authenticity of the connections we make have changed.

“[Dating] has become less personal [because of online sources],” Stanek said. “Instead of meeting people face-to-face and getting to know someone for who they are, we are getting a false first impression through a screen. People can portray themselves as something they’re not, which is disappointing for someone who wants a real relationship.”