Tinder, along with applications, such as OkCupid are becoming more popular as college students begin online dating.
Online dating at Auburn seems to be a quiet affair, however.
"I haven't heard about a lot of online dating in Auburn," said Sarah Hooper, senior in biomedical sciences. "Mostly I've heard about Tinder."
Tinder is an application available for most smartphones where you are given a few pictures, a 500-character "about" section, mutual friends you have through Facebook and shared interests between users.
Users swipe right if they are interested in a profile, or left if they are not.
"Tinder can be used as a dating app, although a lot just want to use it for hookups," said Cassie Tuggle, senior in anthropology.
Other students said they do not find Tinder or other dating apps to be a viable option to look for lasting relationships.
"Apps, in my opinion, are too casual and less personal than other methods of meeting people," said Shuji Miller, senior in secondary education mathematics. "I feel like many people use apps out of boredom or for hookups."
Although Miller said he thinks apps are too casual to start a lasting relationship, he has had success with them.
"I had my first significant relationship through it," Miller said. "It was not only my first real relationship, it was my first online dating relationship, [and] my first long distance relationship. We were together for nearly two years. Websites allow you to develop more of your character, goals, personality and ideals in your profile that really allows you to have the initial connection with someone."
Some students said the amount of personal information requested on websites can be daunting.
"I guess I'm the type of person to keep my personal life private, and for OkCupid, you're forced to be public and straightforward," Tuggle said. "That can be kind of scary."
Others are skeptical of online dating.
"I guess I have a negative opinion of it because I'm skeptical that it will really help you form a relationship beyond just looking at pictures of people," said Zoe Tucker, sophomore in mechanical engineering.
There are a lot of differing opinions about online dating, but no one can deny its presence.
There are profiles that say, "We can lie about where we met" on Tinder and there are people who hide their online dating profiles from their "real life" friends.
"I think a lot of people see online dating as something only the socially awkward need," Hooper said. "It's assumed that 'normal' people can just meet someone in person. I don't think that's the case."
Another stigma attached to online dating is the possible danger that can ensue.
"I never really had guys make blatantly sexual statements to my face before," said Kristen Keeter, Auburn alumna. "But for some reason they do it over the Internet."
Miller said there are also some interesting things that can occur from meeting in person with someone you've met online.
"One time, I met someone through online dating that didn't have a picture up," Miller said. "We decided to meet each other for lunch one day on campus, and when I walked into where we were supposed to meet, it was actually one of my good friends that was too afraid to ask me out in person."
Miller gives advice to those wanting to try online dating.
"Be completely honest on your profile," Miller said. "Always meet someone in public. Put yourself out there to grab people's attention."
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