The University Daily Kansan
Monday, June 24, 2013
Page 11
RELATIONSHIPS
Love At First Search
Students turn to the Internet and smartphone apps to find their significant other
EMMA LEGAULT
elegault@kansan.com
In 20 years when they've settled in with a family of their own, their child asks, how did his mom and dad meet?
The answer isn't in a college English class or in a popular bar, rather, on an iPhone dating app.
It's not out of the ordinary to chat up a perfect stranger through social media, especially when apps, such as Tinder and OkCupid, and college dating websites make it their sole purpose. After Tinder "piloted its dating experience on a few college campuses," users made 35 million profile ratings within the span of two months, according to TechCrunch.
Results with potential matches are highly localized — usually within 50 or so miles — making users feel more comfortable reaching out.
That's also the idea behind CollegeBoo.com, Noah Mortel's
college dating website brainchild. After graduating in 2008 from Baylor, he didn't have much money to start a full-fledged business. He put some thought into it, and decided students needed another avenue to meet and find love in a large campus dating arena.
"When I made it, I put myself back in those students' shoes and was thinking about something that I would have loved to have while I was in college," he said.
The site requires a verified edu email account to register and members have the option to search exclusively within their own campus. A free membership grants access to profile browsing and viewing photo albums. For a fee, users can have the total experience including messaging, music and video, gift exchange and group and speed dating events.
Mortel said the site is more of a fusion of traditional online dating with the security and comfort of being able to meet in familiar territory.
It's been growing steadily. Mortel said. The site has about 375 members currently. The majority are freshman and sophomore undergraduates, and Mortel said the site has slightly more women than men with accounts.
Since launching CollegeBoo in January, he's been seeing potential matches connecting, but he hasn't heard any wedding bells just yet.
"I want to hear success stories. I want to hear about another student finding love and marriage and things like that," Mortel said. "To me, that would be the greatest thing"
There's more mystery behind another campus connecting service. The popular Twitter account @KUsecretAdmirer isn't trying to play matchmaker — it's an avenue
for anonymous shout-outs.
Although tweets are known for being vulgar at times, the three anonymous admins said they try to post anything unique, funny or sentimental. And just because it's not an official dating service doesn't mean that a flattering "Secret Admirers" tweet couldn't ignite a spark.
"People tweet, direct message and email us how much they appreciate the tweets, but it's really other people's words. We're just here to post them," the admins wrote in an email.
Despite privacy features, the safety aspect of online dating is where things get tricky. There's still no surefire way to verify that who you're talking to online is exactly who he or she is said to be until you step away from the
computer.
"Trust is so central in a relationship, and if you don't really have a basis for establishing trust, then it's difficult to go forward," said Kathy Rose-Mocky, director of the Emily Taylor Center for Women and Gender Equity. "And you may be basing your assumptions on things that aren't real."
However, the benefits of online and social media matchmaking outweigh the drawbacks, especially when flirting in class isn't an option.
"Finding other ways to get to know people out of your direct circle, this is certainly one way to do it," Rose-Mockry said.
- Edited by Megan Hinman
THE LOVE CONNECTION BEGINS HERE:
COLLEGEBOC
Originated: March 2004
Cost to use: Free
How it works: Shows other nearby users, allows you to accept or skip and introduces you if other person accepts you back
How it works: Generates matches by users' answers to questions and data compiled from their activity on the site
Originated: August 2012 Cost to use: Free
Originated: Fall 2012
Cost to use: Free, $10, $20, $30 memberships
How it works: Users create an online profile and search others.
Must have a .edu email account to join.
Create the content. Make the Difference. The J-School
An elite program
Our J-School is one of the most respected in the country. With dedicated professors and cutting-edge resources, students learn how to:
- Connect with millions through social media.
- Generate publicity for
- high-profile clients.
- Develop global advertising campaigns.
William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communication
Photo KU Marketing Communications
- Capture and edit video that goes viral.
- Report breaking news.
- Think critically to solve problems facing media industries and the people we serve. journalism.ku.edu
81 percent of 2011 Kansas journalism grads were employed full time six months after graduation. The 2011 Annual Survey of Journalism Mass Communication Graduates