LTAFS: Dating – There’s an App for That
A couple of caveats before we get into this. I am in my forties. I like to think I keep up to date with such things, but I am generally doing so as a spectator these days, so take this all with that in mind.
If you have yet to start dating, or have not dated in a while, the excellent news is that the fundamentals of folks meeting other folks that they find attractive, share common interests with has not changed. Except of course that those are only the fundamentals in some cultures and societies, and even many of those, only for the last fifty years or so. But I digress.
Since we are functionally here to talk about fictional sex, I bring up dating to talk a little bit the rise of apps and how that has changed things. The biggest change of course, is simply access. In theory, a person downloading any and all of the various dating apps has access to tons of people both nearby and across the world. It allows one to feel endlessly choosy.
Of course, as with anything, there are other factors that come into play with this kind of interaction. Apps that focus on pictures, are obviously going to prioritize traditional standards of beauty, which can leave out anyone outside that definition.
Apps that focus on jobs or salaries, will also do the same.
And of course, the focus on textual communication means that putting things like “enjoys hiking” is sometimes viewed as code for in good shape.
Of course, your story may or may not include apps. Or it may include better apps than the ones we have. Or your characters may be in space, which may limit nearby options. But understanding what some trends in current dating are, can still be useful background.
Another reason I bring this up is that there are some specific things that happen when one communicates via app. Because the apps offer in app communication, folks could theoretically chat, meet up, have sex, and then decide not to pursue any further communication and either block one another on the app, or delete the app altogether.
As a result, someone could discover they have contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and/or become pregnant and have no way to contact the other person.
Whether these factor into your character’s current story or their past, or even not at all, it’s something to consider.
Resources: Experience mag’s look at dating on an app: https://expmag.com/2019/09/app-based-dating-is-here-to-stay-heres-how-its-rewiring-the-courtship-process/