Online dating services are now hip with young adults, but not always for dating.
Credit mobile dating apps such as Tinder, which incorporate fun elements and are dead simple to use. Swipe right on a profile picture to approve and swipe left to reject. No awkward messages to each other unless both say yes.
But instead of just looking for long-term love, some people are turning to these services for one-night stands and even advice from locals when travelling. Others just want to look at sexy - and not-so-sexy - pics when they're bored.
"It's turned into a game," said Tim Smith, a 21-year-old student from Hampstead, Maryland.
When he's bored, he turns to Tinder to start swiping on women in the app, even when he doesn't feel like talking to anyone.
Young adults, ages 18 to 24, traditionally haven't been big online daters. They haven't had much of a need, as they are typically surrounded by other young, single people, whether at work or school, said Aaron Smith, associate research director with the Pew Research Centre.
Tinder and rivals such as Hinge are changing the dynamics, and young adults are using online dating in greater numbers than any other age group these days.
In 2013, only 10 per cent in that age group used online dating. That rose to 27 per cent in the latest Pew study. By comparison, only 15 per cent of US adults overall have used dating sites or apps, just a slight increase from 11 per cent in 2013.
Alfred Mohi, 24, said he has used Tinder for flings with people he doesn't want to see again, and for the emotional high of matching and talking with women he deems attractive.
But he said he wouldn't use Tinder to find a significant other because he believes it's harder to trust people you meet on the app.
Others describe Tinder as convenient and fun, and possibly a route to a relationship - but there are obstacles.
"A lot of guys will message just terrible things, right off the bat," said Maddie Forshee, a 21-year-old-student in Michigan. She said she's been sent naked photos - "It's like, I don't want to see that."
Tinder owner Match Group says half of Tinder users are ages 18 to 24, while 85 per cent are 18 to 34.
Pew's survey shows that some older adults are also more interested in online dating. Usage among 55 to 64 doubled to 12 per cent. Pew's Aaron Smith said they probably feel more comfortable with the idea of finding a partner on the internet as they hear about successful matches from friends and relatives.
* Pew conducted the survey June 10 to July 12, 2015, with 2001 US adults; it has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.
