UAE: How likes, views, emojis are replacing real conversations in modern dating

In today's fast-paced dating culture, likes, story views, and emojis are replacing genuine communication — leaving many feeling confused, disconnected, and emotionally drained. Matchmaker and founder of the 'Dating Day' event, Alla Rakhmatullina, said that the ambiguity of digital engagement is one of the biggest obstacles to forming real connections in modern romance.

According to Rakhmatullina, many people misinterpret passive digital gestures and actions as signs of true interest.

She explains that people often mistake passive digital gestures for genuine interest, which leads to miscommunication and frustration. Many men, for example expect a response after repeatedly liking someone’s posts, while women are left questioning whether those likes mean attraction or simple politeness. “A lot of people think they’re engaging, but they’re not really saying anything. A like isn’t a conversation, and it’s often misread,” said Rakhmatullina. 

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Alla Rakhmatullina

She noted that the younger generation are especially prone to this type of interaction. Instead of making a bold move, many choose the safer route of watching stories or liking posts.

According to Rakhmatullina, it’s become common for people to match on dating apps, exchange Instagram handles, and then fall into a passive loop where they never actually talk. “They like each other’s stories, maybe leave a comment here and there, but they never start a real conversation. It’s a loop of passive engagement, and nothing truly develops from it,” she said. 

As ghosting and vague digital signals continue, Rakhmatullina notes that while digital platforms make it easy to disappear without explanation, the emotional impact is often underestimated. “Ghosting creates emotional uncertainty. People don’t know what went wrong or how to move forward,” she said. 

The future of dating should combine the convenience of digital tools with the authenticity of in-person interactions, suggesting that digital platforms should serve as a bridge to help build romantic relationships rather than a complete replacement, Rakhmatullina emphasised. She warned that if people do not learn to use these tools more effectively, we will continue to face confusion and 'talking stage fatigue'.

Overcoming digital anxiety  

Dr Salman Kareem, a specialist psychiatrist at Aster Clinic, echoed this sentiment. He said that people overthink digital signals, which can cause anxiety. “People obsess over response times, read and worry whether a digital interaction really meant something,” he said. People are also scared of facing rejection, he said, which can sometimes feel more public “especially when ‘following’ and ‘unfollowing’ are signs of relationship statuses".  

Dr Salman Kareem

To overcome this, Kareem advises starting small with casual social interactions, then moving on to more direct forms of communication to build confidence. He also recommends people not to fixate too much on the social world and instead direct this energy towards offline confidence. “Develop social skills through in-person activities. Real-world confidence translates to digital interactions,” he said.

Not enough

For Reem A, who asked to remain anonymous, the first approach in today’s complicated, signal-filled world is not enough. “It can be totally misunderstood to know someone, especially in our day as we mostly communicate through our phones and this cannot tell everything about somebody,” she said.  

Reem met her now-husband through Instagram, when he viewed a story post of hers. She decided to click on his profile one day and viewed his story post as well. “[It] was about something I liked, and I wrote a comment in English, thinking he was a foreigner,” she added. At first, Reem had the impression that his account was strange because of his anime profile picture. “I didn’t expect that I would marry someone who cares about such things,” she said.  

However, after getting to know each other for more than a month, Reem’s initial impression of him changed completely, and months later, the couple made it official and tied the knot. 

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