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Social media has dramatically changed our world. Connecting with new people meant leaving your house, starting a hobby or joining a group of interest. But social media and dating apps have made all of that much simpler, at least when you’re glued to a screen.

All it takes is the swipe of a finger to discover or connect with someone you may have never actually met in the real world. There is a significant number of people doing this via popular dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, BLK and Hinge. According to the Pew Research Center, 30% of adults in the U.S. have used a dating site or app.

Today on The Metro, on the eve of Valentine’s Day, we explore how social media and dating apps have altered romantic relationships. 

Guests:

• Stephanie Tong: Wayne State University professor and expert on the intersection of social media and relational communication.
• Aqua Tofana: Comedian and host of Match Made on Stage, a show where attendees sign up to speed date in front of a live audience.
• Erin Stiebel: Jewish educator and community leader in metro Detroit. While not an official matchmaker, she’s connected five couples who’ve gone on to fall in love and get married. 

Use the media player above to hear the conversation.

More headlines from The Metro on Feb. 13, 2025: 

• Narratives of Pain will host its “Broken Hearts and Connections” event at 6 p.m. on Valentine’s Day at the Apothecary Espresso and Coffee shop in Farmington. Therapist Dr. Zain Shamoon joined the show to discuss the event. 

• Each year, Kresge Arts in Detroit selects and awards an eminent artist. It’s someone who has dedicated their life to art and uplifting Detroit’s cultural community. The 2025 Eminent Artist Marion Hayden joined the show to discuss the honor. 

• WDET will be celebrating the end of its 75th year with a special member-only event at the Majestic Theatre in Detroit on Thursday. There’s so much history here at WDET and some of the most interesting stuff takes us back to the very beginning. News Director Jerome Vaughn dusted off the library shelves and hooked up the microfilm for a look at WDET’s early days.
• WDET’s Ryan Patrick Hooper caught up with Detroit Film Theatre Director Elliot Wilhelm to find out more about the Academy Award Nominated Short Films program running through March 2.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.