No Valentine this year? You may want to hit up your smart phone.
"I've certainly met a lot of people" says Lila. A single 20 year old college student from Philadelphia. She is talking about a new dating app called "Tinder".
"A lot of my friends are on it to play. Because every one else has it. It's fun to chatting with people" says Lila.
Casual dating apps are becoming hugely popular on college campuses. Tinder uses Facebook photos of people in your area and then it's as simple as clicking on them to let them know your interested.
But that person won't know unless they've clicked on you. Taking the sting out of getting turned down.
"You don't get rejected really. The rejection you don't know about it" says Austin, a 21-year-old student at Temple who also uses the app.
Other apps like "Blender" are geared towards anonymous sex and use GPS mapping to find the nearest hook-ups. "Crazy Blind Date" is an app that allows users to pick a time and a location for a date. Interested parties can accept the invite and the date is on.
But will a fast hook up on your smart phone lead to finding a real relationship? Experts say probably not.
"When you are using a hook up app. You are basing the connection on a profile picture"
Arielle Pardez writes a sex column for The Daily Pennsylvanian, the student run newspaper for the University of Pennsylvania. She says in the texting generation, using technology to date isn't surprising but finding a real connection could be more challenging.
"Some people are finding you really miss the authentic connection when you try to date someone via your cellphone" says Pardez.
But like it or not, gone are the days of old time courtships. This is the future of dating.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:25:38 GMT
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night. "It's like a nightmare, it's the worst nightmare anyone can think of. I keep thinking
A text message that says "I'm about to leave" is the last time Janet Royer had contact with her son Thursday night.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 8:31 PM EDT2013-05-15 00:31:38 GMT
Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.Dr. Kermit Gosnell
Kermit Gosnell will spend the rest of his life in prison. The 72-year old abortion provider has waived his right to appeal the first-degree murder charge issued by a jury just one day ago.
Monday, May 13 2013 7:03 AM EDT2013-05-13 11:03:57 GMT
It was a heartbreaking Mother's Day for the mom of a shooting victim gunned down on South Street as she travels to Philadelphia to identify the body of her son.
It was a heartbreaking Mother's Day for the mom of a shooting victim gunned down on South Street as she travels to Philadelphia to identify the body of her son.
Tuesday, April 16 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-04-17 01:28:48 GMT
The shock of Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon has turned to sadness and anger, but there is a new sense of community and patriotism among the people of Boston.
The shock of Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon has turned to sadness and anger, but there is a new sense of community and patriotism among the people of Boston.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:41 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:41:42 GMT
A man being questioned by federal authorities in the Boston Marathon bombing probe was fatally shot in Florida when he initiated a violent confrontation, according to the FBI.
A man being questioned by federal authorities in the Boston Marathon bombing probe was fatally shot in Florida when he initiated a violent confrontation, according to the FBI.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:27 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:27:41 GMT
Transit officials say a commuter train has struck and killed a man on the tracks outside Philadelphia. It happened around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday on the Southeastern
Transit officials say a commuter train has struck and killed a man on the tracks outside Philadelphia. It happened around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday on the Southeastern
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:10 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:10:10 GMT
The Pennsylvania Game Commission and The Humane Society of the United States are offering more than $5,000 for information on whoever fatally shot a bald eagle in western Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Game Commission and The Humane Society of the United States are offering more than $5,000 for information on whoever fatally shot a bald eagle in western Pennsylvania
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:45 AM EDT2013-05-22 10:45:09 GMT
Philadelphia police are hoping surveillance video will help them catch the gunmen who shot and killed a teenager in the parking lot of a Rita's Water Ice.
Philadelphia police are hoping surveillance video will help them catch the gunmen who shot and killed a teenager in the parking lot of a Rita's Water Ice.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:50 AM EDT2013-05-22 09:50:07 GMT
Still feels like summer out there. Highs in the mid 80s today. Just like summer, it'll be humid, with a chance of a few spotty showers late in the day.
Tomorrow, strong thunderstorms move through, from the same cold front that caused the midwest tornadoes. That front will also usher in cooler air for the holiday weekend.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:49 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:49:33 GMT
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
You'll never believe who is dancing circles around these people. Meet the Allentown-area lady with the fancy footwork that leaves her disciples breathless!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:13 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:13:58 GMT
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Helmeted rescue workers raced Tuesday to complete the search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb where a mammoth tornado destroyed countless homes, cleared lots and claimed 24 lives.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:04 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:04:07 GMT
Bucks County EMT Bryan Elwell is heading out to Oklahoma to help assist overwhelmed emergency responders dealing with the deadly tornado aftermath in Moore, just outside Oklahoma City. He's prepared
Two local EMTs are headed to Oklahoma to help victims and crews dealing with the aftermath of a deadly tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:08:36 GMT
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
Police in Lancaster say they've detained two men in an investigation prompted by a woman's call to 911 from the trunk of a car to report that she had been abducted by strangers.
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