To some people, going on dating apps is an act of desperation—a last resort for finding love because they are incapable of doing so “organically.” Some even say that putting oneself on dating apps is like putting oneself on “clearance.”

If you are a victim of these social stigmas, consider this your wake-up call.

The reality is that no matter how a love encounter begins, someone from the sidelines will always be critical about it. Ask a girl for her number at a coffee shop, and there’s a good chance she’ll text the group chat instead of admiring your courage. Slip a love letter into someone’s locker, and suddenly you’re a stalker for knowing where it is. When I was 18, I dated a 21-year-old at the time, which caused an uproar among my friends, because I was the younger one who asked him out. 

However, love can be initiated in any way, and it doesn’t matter where or how it is attained. 

In fact, if you think the term “love is in the air” is just an idiom, you are completely wrong about it in 2026. Girls are doing full makeup before their flights just in case they meet an airport crush—if people are preparing to fall for someone mid-air (literally), what is so wrong about falling for someone through the airwaves powered by Wi-Fi?  

Below, I will share some pros and cons based on my own experience with Hinge, and you can decide for yourself if this form of dating is for you. 

Pros: 

1. It is unlikely that you will match with someone who has absolutely no interest in you

On Hinge, you can send a “like” to people you want to talk to, and if they “like” you back, you become a “match.” Only then will you be able to engage in a conversation with them. This match signals that both of you are curious about one another, whether it’s based on your appearance, interests, or what you are looking for in a relationship. This way, you only match with people who are surely interested in you to some extent, increasing the chances of meaningful interaction. 

2. Apps are designed to make it easy for you to move on without hard feelings

After you match with someone, you can talk with them for a while to do a quick vibe check. If you feel like you aren’t a good match for each other, you can simply “unmatch” without ever having to talk to them again. The system ensures that you do not see them on your profile again, and they won’t show up on yours either. This removes the awkward confrontation, self-explanation, and the classic “it’s not you, it’s me” conversation from the process.

Cons: 

1. Safety issues that come with online dating

Every form of dating has its flaws, and meeting people online is no exception. Meeting people online can be risky: their names, age, school, and entire identities can be fabricated. To keep yourself safe, I encourage exchanging Instagram accounts before meeting with them in person. This allows you to do a background check to confirm that their information seems legitimate. Additionally, for the first meeting, always choose a public space and make sure you know how to get home on your own. 

2. Appearance matters more than you think

Catfishing is a common issue in online dating. In one case, I was the one at fault. In my profile photos, I had long hair, but right before meeting a guy, I cut it a little above my shoulders. When I told him, I could tell it made him uncomfortable. Here’s how the text exchange went:

Me: I got a haircut today lol

Date: It’s not that of a drastic change, right? Right? Right? 

(Spoiler: I did not end up dating him!) 

While I believe personality matters more than looks, that belief usually comes after you’ve had time to learn who someone is. When you’re operating within the three-dates-rule window, appearance tends to carry more weight than we’d like to admit.

That said, any form of dating comes with challenges, and anyone who dares to initiate a change in their lives deserves respect. At least, you are doing far better than my friend, who has spent the past three New Year’s stuffing grapes into his mouth under the table, manifesting the love of his life.

So what are you waiting for? Instead of letting endless exams and seasonal depression be your only romance candidates, take action! Perhaps the love of your life is just around the corner.