Growth Guru

Loneliness is one of the major social problems of the 21st century. About 60% of Generation Z and Millennials feel lonely, even when they have hundreds of “friends” on social media. Urbanisation and digitalisation have changed the model of communication between individuals. People increasingly live in megacities among a vast number of strangers, and the number of close connections is diminishing.

Also, the fast pace of life influences this phenomenon. Many people don’t have the time to meet someone and develop those relationships. Communication predominantly happens online. Nonetheless, can loneliness be overcome while interacting solely online? Let's explore this together.

Apps that help combat loneliness

In the past, dating apps were primarily used for finding a partner. However, today, there are more services that help people find others with similar interests, travel companions, or simply warm conversations over a cup of coffee. Developers are creating an atmosphere where genuine connections and getting to know each other are appealing.

However, these apps emphasize quality interaction between users, while traditional dating services primarily revolve around swiping and quick “like/dislike” evaluations. Personality and shared life views, hobbies, and interests take precedence over appearance. Additionally, the services gently “encourage” users to meet in person by offering personalised recommendations for events, sending notifications about nearby gatherings where like-minded individuals can be met, and so on. Some integrate calendars and collaborative planning features.

Video chats like InstaCams: live communication, not just “swipe dating”

Many users of dating apps say that they are tired of superficial communication. Endless swiping, unproductive texting, and the disparity between expectations and reality, which lead to exhaustion and prompt users to delete the apps. People are lacking in emotion and engagement; hence, they seek different formats of interaction online.

In recent years, the leaders in user numbers have been video services like InstaCams and CooMeet. The reason for the popularity of these platforms is simple: they provide genuine emotions. Communication occurs in real-time, allowing you to see and hear the person as if you are not separated by kilometres and screens. All non-verbal signals become accessible again, such as gestures, intonations, and eye contact. You can easily gauge your chat partner’s mood by the tone of their voice. In contrast, it is quite challenging to convey your true emotions and feelings through text. Meanwhile, in online chats, you can gesture, laugh out loud, or speak softly, and flirt while looking your partner directly in the eyes.

However, emotional presence is not the only advantage of random chats. Here are some other benefits:

• The ability to verify the “reality” of your partner: It is a common problem when the person in the photo and in reality turns out to be two different people. By communicating via video, you see the person as they truly are. This reduces the likelihood of being deceived significantly.
• Compatibility check: You can quickly determine whether you like the person and if there is mutual interest by simply chatting in a video platform. You won’t have to spend weeks texting, which may not lead to a real-life meeting.
• Variety of formats: Everyone can find the optimal format for interaction in a videochat. This could be one-on-one communication, a group conversation, a virtual party, or an online speed dating.

However, random chats have their disadvantages. Many users feel awkward being in front of the camera. Others are concerned about their safety, as fake accounts and scammers can be found in the services sometimes. Another common problem is technical issues (poor connection/unstable internet) that hinder comfortable communication.

However, most of these problems can be avoided by choosing reputable platforms. For example, in Instacams alternative CooMeet, you can be confident that you are communicating with real people. Every user must verify their information, which means there are no fakes or bots on the platform.

Best practices and recommendations

To ensure a positive experience while using video sites, choose platforms with the following functionalities.

• Preliminary video previews to see how you look on camera before connecting.
• The ability to turn audio or video on and off at any moment.
• “Test calls” that allow users to get accustomed to the format.
• The ability to report inappropriate behaviour or block a user.

However, it is important to understand that not everything depends on the platform. Also, user behaviour plays a significant role. Here are some simple rules to follow:

• Be open to communication, but don’t let others violate your boundaries. If something makes you uncomfortable, it’s better to end the conversation immediately.
• Respect the other person’s space. If your chat partner is not ready to discuss personal topics, do not insist on it.
• Be honest. It is better to show your true self than to try to create a “perfect image” and then strive to live up to it.
• Don’t rush to share personal information. Even if the platform is well-moderated, there is still a risk of becoming a victim of scammers. Therefore, avoid sharing information about where you live or work, your income, etc., with unfamiliar people.

Here is another tip: Don’t be afraid to end the conversation. If the dialogue isn’t going well, it is better to politely say goodbye than to waste each other's time. Also, in video chats, it takes a click to start chatting with someone else.

User Experiences: Real Stories

Video chats truly change people's lives, and a vivid example is the story of a couple from New York who got married six months after meeting online. Lovers Den and Katherine shared that before their in-person meeting, they felt the “chemistry” while communicating via video. They met the next day and haven’t parted to date.

Mila from Los Angeles shared that she accidentally found the perfect group for hiking in an online vchat. She had long dreamed of reaching a mountain summit and simply mentioned this to a stranger on the service. It turned out that her chat partner was a mountain guide; within a couple of weeks, Mila was conquering her first peak.

Also, experts agree that the format of video chats is one of the effective ways to combat loneliness. Psychologists note that live video communication helps establish contact quickly because individuals can see, text, and feel the emotions of their chat partner.

What will dating apps be like in the future?

The dating landscape will soon undergo significant transformations. As of today, VR spaces and metaverses are being tested where users can meet as avatars. Augmented reality is being utilised to connect people who are physically far apart. Artificial intelligence serves as a virtual assistant, providing conversation topics and “smoothing out” any awkward moments during interactions.

Nonetheless, UX specialists believe that the future lies in services where the quality of communication, rather than algorithms, plays a key role. They perfectly understand that technology should help build genuine relationships, not replace them. Time will tell if it will be possible to maintain a balance between technological advancement and humanity. However, it is clear that technology can be an ally in the fight against loneliness if used correctly.