Welcome to the digital age of dating! Gone are the days when long-distance romance meant sending letters that took forever and pining for a word from your lover. Now, with virtual dating, sparks can fly from anywhere with Wi-Fi. But if you’re looking to level up from “just another FaceTime,” here are the dos and don’ts to make your virtual dates pop!

What is Virtual Dating? It’s more than just screen time – it’s real connection, laughter, and all the feels shared over video chats, apps, and, yes, sometimes in front of your laptop at 2 a.m.

The Dos

• Plan it out! Think “date night,” but virtual. This could mean ordering the same dinner, sipping wine “together,” or even grocery shopping side-by-side…well, phone-in-hand, at least.

• Get creative - Dive into mutual interests. Whether it’s reading or comics, find a fun twist! Like one Redditor says, they browse Barnes & Noble, coffee in hand, picking out books for each other. Now that is commitment.
• Know your apps! Avoid the “awkward zone” by keeping up with the popular cyber-spaces where you can ‘hang’ with your boo. Surprise each other with unique spaces like Flirtual or Nevermet, made for LDR sparks!

The Don’ts

• Don’t make every date a movie night. Sure, Netflix is great, but throw in some excitement.
• Don't Multitask! It’s painfully obvious when one person is scrolling Instagram. Be present and attentive. 

Take some advice from the Internet, it's the modern-day Library of Alexandria, after all! 

One person on Reddit shares, "My partner likes to go on planned dates. So to “get me flowers”, I go to a grocery store and FaceTime and I show him the flowers and he picks one. Then we both get snacks and movie treats, go back to the house, get cozy, and watch a movie together while we FaceTime and eat dinner."

While another person has a different style! 

"I like reading and my boyfriend likes comics so we have gone on a coffee date while on the phone both drinking coffee while we browse Barnes and Noble to pick out a book for each other." 

Whatever your style of dating might be, it's possible things might start heating up. When things get steamy... Have a signal for when you're getting hot and bothered! And remember, privacy is key – close those doors and curtains, and keep it safe and consensual, always.

Beyond the Basics

Trying Flirtual or Nevermet can add that spark beyond mainstream apps. Bottom line? With some planning, virtual dates can be almost better than in-person ones.

So there you have it! Who says virtual love can’t feel real? With the right vibes, apps, and a bit of creativity, you’ll be swooning and laughing from screen to screen. So grab your snacks, charge those devices, and let the “distance” just make your hearts grow fonder.

About the author: 

Madhu (she/her) has been an avid reader of all things spicy since her childhood. She writes sassy blog posts and listicles now so that others may benefit from her wholly inappropriate, wholly informative tastes too.