Couples who meet at church happier than those meeting online, survey concludes 

Couples who meet online aren’t as happy as those who meet in church or other real-life venues, new analysis shows. 

The Institute for Family Studies compiled research from across the globe and found lower relational satisfaction in people who met their romantic partner online. 

“On average, across all countries, participants were more satisfied with their relationship and experienced greater intimacy, passion, and commitment if they had met their partners offline than if they had met their partners online,” wrote Rosemary Hopcroft, Professor Emerita of Sociology at the University of North Carolina. 

Hopcroft notes online dating is becoming extremely common, with over one-third of Americans under 35 meeting their partner online. Some of the most popular apps have millions of users, such as Tinder (75 million) and Bumble (50 million). 

Targeted dating apps exist for niche demographics, including religious groups, vegans, gym-goers, single parents, dog-lovers, people over 50 and even Bristlr, a site that “connects the ladies who love a beard with guys that have one.” 

Online dating is particularly prevalent among men, young adults, urban residents and those in the LGB community, according to the Pew Research Center. 

But the ease and multiplicity of options provided by online dating don’t translate to higher quality relationships. 

Among married young adults, those who met at church or through a religious activity were the most likely to say they were “very happy” (76%). 

The numbers dipped for people who met through school (73%), through friends (65%) and finally, online (61%). 

“Perhaps couples who meet online are less similar in terms of education, ethnicity, religion, and shared values and interests than couples who meet offline,” Hopcroft speculates. “Or it may be that meeting online promotes a transactional approach to relationships that is not entirely compatible with relationship satisfaction and love.” 

Whatever the reason, Hopcroft concludes people shouldn’t put too much faith in the digital dating market. 

“Despite the increasing popularity of online dating, its inability to deliver better relationships than traditional dating is an example of how the promise of new technology can ring hollow,” she said.