The young now most likely to use dating apps, Pew survey says - CNET

I feel sure of this because of a new Pew Survey, released enticingly to celebrate Valentine's Day.

You might find the headline less than startling: 15 percent of American adults have used online dating sites or mobile dating apps.

It's the underbelly, though, that's alluring.

If you used to think that young people were inevitably thrust together bodily at high school and college -- and therefore that's how they meet lovers -- you might need to sit down.

The survey reveals that online dating among those aged 18-24 has increased by almost 300 percent since 2013, making them now the most likely to use dating apps. I can feel you blaming Tinder, the convenient repository of shame for all changes in the relationship world.

Well, usage of mobile dating apps has increased fourfold among that same young age group in the last two years.

Why be surprised? Swiping left and right is far more amusing than looking left and right in the hope of finding love -- or at least a warm, chill Netflix partner.

Some might find it remarkable that few are put off by the idea that profile pictures might represent someone younger, slimmer and more attractive than the real-life person. Instead, according to this survey, users are more impressed by the idea that online dating is efficient and that it's a "better" way to find a match.

This feels slightly odd, given the human penchant for telling fibs -- especially online -- in order to seem more impressive.

The survey was conducted between June 10 and July 12 of last year. A 2,001-person sample, representing adults 18 and over, was interviewed. No, the interviews weren't conducted online.

I can feel you so intrigued that you're wondering which other age group is increasingly using online dating. Well, it's those aged 55-64, whose usage of the sites and apps has doubled since 2013.