According to Pew Research, a survey from October 2019 found that 12% of Americans have been in a committed relationship with or married someone they met on an app or website, and nearly a quarter of Americans (23%) have gone on a date with someone they met online.
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In addition, according to Langlais, research shows that today, the quality of relationships formed online is similar to those formed in person, which, he notes, is a shift from what the research showed just 10 to 12 years ago. “My own research shows that people who meet on dating apps have just as much satisfaction and commitment as those who meet in person,” he said.
Even as the COVID-19 era ushered in a new reliance on digital tools, some app users have been experiencing online dating fatigue, with many feeling more frustrated than hopeful.
Langlais says app burnout could be fueling the drive toward value-oriented apps, especially if the fatigue is caused by superficial interactions. For Czeena Devera, 32, her own app burnout led her and a few friends to re-envision what faith-based, in-person dating could look like.
Devera, who is based near Detroit, began using dating apps in early 2020. She enjoyed meeting new people but said it got exhausting after a while.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re on CatholicMatch or on Hinge or Bumble, it just seems like there will always be the one or two guys who are super disrespectful,” said Devera. “And you can’t really screen for that.”
After a conversation with a few close friends, Devera learned she wasn’t the only one feeling burned out by dating apps — so together they decided to create their own young adults group to foster intentional dating. The result, a Catholic group called Hot & Holy, has been shockingly successful.
“When we launched in October (2021), we were maybe expecting 80 people, but we got over 130,” Devera said. Their most recent speed dating event had roughly 190 attendees, including folks who drove several hours from Ohio and from Traverse City, Michigan. Each speed dating event is also attended by priests, brothers and/or consecrated virgins who are on hand to share insight with the singles.
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The group, which welcomes anyone open to the Catholic faith, also hosts monthly happy hours that start with Eucharistic adoration and end with going out for drinks, as well as social events such as trivia and scavenger hunts.
Devera told RNS she hopes the in-person approach helps people avoid the trap of thinking of potential spouses like a menu. Personally, she’s already met plenty of potential dates through Hot & Holy — though she hasn’t sworn off dating apps just yet.
This article originally appeared here.