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In this day and age, we all know someone who has met their other half online.
Whether its swiping through dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, or 'sliding into DMs' on Instagram, there are plenty of ways to try and bag a date.
Some celebrities – including Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner – even met over the internet.
But couples whose relationship started online are less happy in love and have lower levels of marital satisfaction, according to a new study.
What's more, they even experience love less intensely than those who met in person, the findings say.
Researchers studied 6,646 individuals in relationships from around the world, examining how they met their partners and how satisfied they were in their relationship.
Overall, 16 per cent of participants met their partners online, with this figure rising to 21 per cent among those who initiated their romantic relationships after 2010.
'Participants who met their partners online reported lower relationship satisfaction and intensity of experienced love, including intimacy, passion and commitment, compared to those who met offline,' co–author Adam Bode, from Australian National University, said.
The findings could help explain some high–profile break–ups, including that of British singer Lily Allen and US actor David Harbour, who met on celebrity dating app Raya. Pictured: The couple together in 2023
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner also met online, with their relationship blossoming after messaging on Instagram. After four years of marriage and two children, however, they divorced in 2024
The researchers showed how the number of people meeting online has risen in recent years, while 'offline' meets have been in decline
The findings could help explain some high–profile break–ups, including that of British singer Lily Allen and US actor David Harbour, who met on celebrity dating app Raya.
The couple, who got married in Las Vegas in 2020, split earlier this year.
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner, who divorced after four years of marriage and two children, initially met online by chatting on Instagram.
Meanwhile American actress Amy Schumer and her ex–boyfriend Ben Hanisch also first connected on celebrity dating app Raya.
According to the researchers, several factors could explain the study's findings.
This includes the fact that couples who meet offline – 'in person' – tend to share more similar characteristics than those who met online.
'Similar social and educational backgrounds can positively influence relationship quality by fostering greater social support and acceptance, shared life experiences, and alignment in values and worldviews,' Mr Bode said.
'The internet provides access to a seemingly limitless pool of potential partners, but while this abundance could help individuals find an ideal match, in practice, it often leads to choice overload.'
American actress Amy Schumer and her ex–boyfriend Ben Hanisch also first connected on celebrity dating app Raya
In this day and age, we all know someone who has met their other half online. Pictured: Popular dating app Tinder (stock image)
Their research, published in the journal Telematics and Informatics, also found no evidence that younger people were more likely to meet partners online.
This suggests that using online apps has become accessible across all age groups, the team said.
However, while early users of the apps sought lifelong partners, they are increasingly being used to pursue casual relationships.
'This shift toward short–term, less committed relationships may, in turn, contribute to lower relationship quality,' Mr Bode said.
'The other complication that occurs online is the risk of ignoring potential red flags that are more apparent in real–life interactions.
'Given that online dating continues to grow worldwide, our findings underscore the need to enhance support for improving relationship quality among all couples, particularly those who met their partners online.'
WHEN YOU SHOULD BREAK UP WITH YOUR PARTNER
Kale Monk, assistant professor of human development and family science at University of Missouri says on-off relationships are associated with higher rates of abuse, poorer communication and lower levels of commitment.
People in these kinds of relationships should make informed decisions about either staying together once and for all or terminating their relationship.
Here are his top five tips to work out whether it's the right time to end your relationship –
1. When considering rekindling a relationship that ended or avoiding future breakups, partners should think about the reasons they broke up to determine if there are consistent or persistent issues impacting the relationship.
2. Having explicit conversations about issues that have led to break ups can be helpful, especially if the issues will likely reoccur. If there was ever violence in the relationship, however, or if having a conversation about relationship issues can lead to safety concerns, consider seeking support-services when it is safe to do so.
3. Similar to thinking about the reasons the relationship ended, spend time thinking about the reasons why reconciliation might be an option. Is the reason rooted in commitment and positive feelings, or more about obligations and convenience? The latter reasons are more likely to lead down a path of continual distress.
4. Remember that it is okay to end a toxic relationship. For example, if your relationship is beyond repair, do not feel guilty leaving for your mental or physical well-being.
5. Couples therapy or relationship counselling is not just for partners on the brink of divorce. Even happy dating and married couples can benefit from ‘relationship check-ups’ in order to strengthen the connection between partners and have additional support in approaching relationship transitions.
