Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is the internet is ruining relationships?

37 replies

Whatwhat123 · 10/06/2026 07:10

I’m following a woman on Instagram who makes content about being long term single, I think she’s in her early thirties.
I’ve seen her post a lot about not wanting kids (fair enough) and also not wanting to do online dating. But then she posts a lot about being upset and that she’s scared of being alone forever.
AIBU to think she should just online date? I hate that there’s so few options to meet men and have relationships these days, but realistically that’s probably her best chance?

She has loads of followers and I relate to her myself so this isn’t a judgement of her personally, I just think how can we expect to be happy when we’re all alone scrolling our phones?

OP posts:
queenofcustard · 10/06/2026 07:23

Whatwhat123 · 10/06/2026 07:20

Yeah I suppose meeting in person is still an option. But what about for people like me and her? She doesn’t seem to get out much and mix with people, but probably has better social skills than me 😂
I’m autistic and don’t have a wide circle of friends. If I went to something like speed dating I’d be a nervous wreck. Basically I feel like I’m screwed because I struggle to even hold down a job so I won’t meet a man that will be ok with that.

But online dating is not exactly smooth sailing either is it?

I've heard some awful things from friends who are doing it.

Whatwhat123 · 10/06/2026 07:22

queenofcustard · 10/06/2026 07:21

Yeah I dont get this either. I dont care what some random person online does during the course of their day- why would I?

Its completely bizarre to me

I guess in my case I’ve used things like Instagram for connection because I’m bored and lonely, and it’s helpful to see people in a similar situation to myself.

OP posts:
Sartre · 10/06/2026 07:22

Ha the thread title sounds like older people catastrophising during the dawn of the internet era. It really isn’t destroying dating. Online dating is bringing more people from different walks of life together than ever before! This woman, for some reason, is making a song and dance out of not going down that route for clout- interesting flex but sure.

queenofcustard · 10/06/2026 07:21

AnonymityAnonymity · 10/06/2026 07:19

I just don't understand why someone spends their time " making content" about their life rather than just going ahead and living it.

I don't understand people " following" random strangers talking about their lives instead of getting on and living their own.

It all reminds me of "The Truman Show".

Edited

Yeah I dont get this either. I dont care what some random person online does during the course of their day- why would I?

Its completely bizarre to me

ElvirRamcic · 10/06/2026 07:21

I know plenty of women and men who have completely given up on dating. They’ve concluded, rightly, that there’s more to life than being in some lacklustre relationship, and if some great love story happens, then it happens. If not, hey ho, but they aren’t going out there looking for it.

And the standard of men (and some women) on online dating is woeful.

Whatwhat123 · 10/06/2026 07:20

Yeah I suppose meeting in person is still an option. But what about for people like me and her? She doesn’t seem to get out much and mix with people, but probably has better social skills than me 😂
I’m autistic and don’t have a wide circle of friends. If I went to something like speed dating I’d be a nervous wreck. Basically I feel like I’m screwed because I struggle to even hold down a job so I won’t meet a man that will be ok with that.

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 10/06/2026 07:20

I follow someone like that, could be same person. Internet dating is grim so I don’t blame her.

HelmholtzWatson · 10/06/2026 07:20

She just sounds like another thirsty Instagramer creating content.

if she actually spent time in the real world rather than her carefully curated one, she might have better luck with men

AnonymityAnonymity · 10/06/2026 07:19

I just don't understand why someone spends their time " making content" about their life rather than just going ahead and living it.

I don't understand people " following" random strangers talking about their lives instead of getting on and living their own.

It all reminds me of "The Truman Show".

queenofcustard · 10/06/2026 07:16

Eh, I know online dating is popular but of the people I know who have met someone recently, all have met via real life. One couple met at work, another couple met through mutual friends, another couple met at a wedding for someone else and another couple met at the pub.

I am not saying online dating is wrong at all, I know lots of people also meet through it but I dont think it means if you dont use it, you're doomed to be single forever. Humans have been meeting other humans for centuries and it's not going to stop now just because the Internet exists.

Charmedandcharming · 10/06/2026 07:16

When you hear women's stories of online dating, I'm not surprised she doesn't want to do it.

AmazingGreatAunt · 10/06/2026 07:11

No, it is just ruining the world.

Swipe left for the next trending thread