"Mobile's Impact on Dating and Relationships" Study, Released by ChristianMingle and JDate, Highlights How Mobile Is Changing Traditional Norms in Dating and Relationships
LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Jul 23, 2013) - According to a study jointly commissioned by ChristianMingle®.com, the largest and fastest growing online community for Christian singles, and JDate®.com, the iconic community responsible for more Jewish marriages than all other dating sites combined, navigating relationships in today's mobile world comes with new rules, increased dependence on technology and surprising expectations around how people prefer to communicate.
The study, Mobile's Impact on Dating and Relationships, surveyed 1,500 U.S. singles between the ages of 21 and 50, and reveals qualitative and quantitative insights based on gender, generations, geography, device types and operating systems. The results depict how mobile technology has changed the norms of dating and courtship.
"Mobile technology is now ingrained in every aspect of our lives, so it's no surprise that your phone is a powerful tool for all modern-day relationships," says Katie Linendoll, Emmy award-winning tech expert and TV personality on SPIKE, ESPN and TODAY. "The results of this study confirm that singles are looking for the most convenient ways to connect, and utilizing mobile tech is the best way to do that."
Below is a snapshot of several key findings that reveal the impact mobile devices have on dating and relationships:
GENDER: Breakdowns reveal how men and women use their devices to woo each other.
GENERATIONS: Exercise your thumbs. Dating a millennial requires constant communication.
GEOGRAPHY: Location may define your mobile habits. West coasters aren't as connected or addicted to their mobile devices as East coasters.
PREFERENCES: Till text do us part? Daters must mind new manners when putting their best phone forward. The survey reveals that mobile devices add a new list of etiquette rules to follow when it comes to finding that special someone.
OPERATING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES: Careful iPhone owners, Android owners might get that KOTC (kiss on the cheek) first.
SUMMARY: Again and again, survey participants reported how mobile technology has changed communication patterns and created myriad expectations and preferences that now define dating etiquette in a mobile age. Texting, which once was considered rude and passive, is now required to stay in touch. Additionally, "he said, she said" is still very real, as men and women differ in terms of how communication is received and perceived. Overall, the study concludes that having a mobile device makes it easier to stay in touch, even if it means connecting on the other end of a text.
"Mobile devices, especially smartphones, have had a profound impact on dating and relationships. Beyond making communication more convenient, mobile technology shapes expectations and perceptions of when and how singles should communicate," said Greg Liberman, CEO of Spark Networks®, the company that owns and operates ChristianMingle and JDate. "We commissioned Mobile's Impact on Dating and Relationships to ensure we are doing everything we can to strengthen our communities in an ever-changing technology ecosystem. Although the results are fascinating in and of themselves, more importantly, they help drive our product roadmap, making it even easier for our members looking to form meaningful relationships to connect with other singles not only from the desktop, but through their smartphones and tablets anytime, anywhere."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To view the full report or to see expert analysis of the results, please visit www.stateofdatingreport.com. For media inquiries, please contact Heather Spilsbury, spilsbury@formulapr.com. Please visit Google Play Store to download the ChristianMingle Quick View™ app and JDate's JPix™ app or visit iTunes App Store to download ChristianMingle Quick View and JPix. For additional information about the ChristianMingle and JDate communities, please visit www.ChristianMingle.com or www.JDate.com.
About Mobile's Impact on Dating and Relationships
Mobile's Impact on Dating and Relationships was jointly commissioned by ChristianMingle.com and JDate.com, and conducted by the independent research firm Amplitude Research. The survey was completed online May 8-13, 2013, by 1,500 respondents aged 21 to 50. Respondents included 50 percent men and 50 percent women, smartphone owners and users, and singles (including divorced and widowed) who were either currently dating, planning to date in the near future, or in a relationship for less than two years.
About ChristianMingle
ChristianMingle® (www.ChristianMingle.com) is the leading and fastest growing online community for Christian singles. In addition, ChristianMingle is a part of Gospel Media Group®, a premier network of online resources which is also comprised of Believe.com® (www.believe.com), Faith.com™ (www.Faith.com), DailyBibleVerse.com™ (www.DailyBibleVerse.com) and ChristianCards.net™ (www.ChristianCards.net).
About JDate.com
With more than 750,000 active members worldwide, JDate® (www.JDate.com, www.JDate.co.uk, www.JDate.co.il and www.JDate.fr) is the premier online community for Jewish singles. An iconic cornerstone of the Jewish community, JDate is responsible for more Jewish marriages than all other dating sites combined.
About Spark Networks
Spark Networks®, Inc.'s (www.spark.net) mission is to create iconic, niche-focused brands that build and strengthen the communities they serve. Spark Networks' portfolio of consumer websites is anchored by ChristianMingle and JDate, and also includes, among others, BlackSingles.com® (www.BlackSingles.com) and SilverSingles®.com (www.SilverSingles.com). Spark Networks' shares trade on the NYSE MKT under the ticker symbol "LOV" (
Contact Information:
PR Contacts
Formula PR
310-578-7050
Heather Spilsbury
Mira Yellin