He Texted

Dating and relationship advice for young women

1 follower

Dating and relationship advice for young women

1 follower

Visit website

Launch tags:Tech

Launch Team

Tech Ladies

Personally, I'm a bit skeptical of receiving relationship advice from strangers who don't share my context / wants / needs. Their experts for example are just active community members. It's the Yahoo! Answers equivalent of expertise. It would be awesome if their 'experts' were actual professional relationship counselors who could provide a more objective view. That said, I think there's something really awesome about the idea of crowd-sourcing advice and support. There's a huge opportunity to address a growing number of young women who have questions about relationships and sexuality but might not be comfortable going to their parents or friends. Women who are experimenting with or questioning their identity/orientation, or who are interested in and considering polyamory and want to speak to other women with experience. So maybe drop the hetero-normative name. She Asked instead of He Texted?

Report

11yr ago

He Texted

Maker

@sabrina Hey Sabrina! Thanks for the feedback. Re: using advice professionals, we found that rather than 'experts', our users enjoy talking to people just like them. Which means the guy next door type, or someone who has been in a similar situation. Also, I hear what you are saying about all kinds of women, and men, using the platform. That's definitely something we are really passionate about. We already have a community of girls asking about girls, and men asking about men - which is awesome. The more inclusive the platform becomes, the better. Thank you for your thoughts!

Report

11yr ago

Wiser

This crew did a great presentation at NYTM a while back, check it out (about 32:30):

Report

11yr ago

He Texted

Maker

@tomweingarten haha! Thanks Tom - we hadn't seen this yet!

Report

11yr ago

Ghosted.boo

Hunter

What does his text mean? What's up with this Tinder message?!! These are question I never need to ask...but millions of women do. Enter He Texted, expert public or private advice for navigating dating and more. Part of 500 Startups Batch 11.

Report

11yr ago

Font Famous

It's a haven for women with insecure attachment, as are most dating products (regardless of gender). Unfortunately the advice that is given by most "experts" is actually terrible and conditions people to enter into relationships where their needs won't be met. The fact there is a guy who considers himself a "bro" and writes for "bro bible" is concerning. As someone who routinely (and very successfully) coaches men & women on love & intimacy this platform has potential as a technology, however it isn't being used in a way that will actually help women. The question to ask isn't "what is he thinking" it should be "Why am I attracted to emotionally unavailable guys?" or "How can I be more direct in my communication?" or best "How can I meet a partner who is available to intimacy?" -- it's not through having *other* people try to decipher his texts -- its about stating your needs and learning to discern between attraction and an activated attachment system and setting boundaries.

Report

11yr ago

Incredible

I dig the female empowerment aspect of this platform.

Report

11yr ago

Backchannel

@writerpollock can you elaborate?

Report

11yr ago

Medium

@writerpollock @eriktorenberg yeah, as, like, an actual young woman, that aspect isn't actually immediately obvious to me.

Report

11yr ago

Incredible

@eriktorenberg @_tessr In my opinion, it's like a female support group of sorts. Although, I haven't used the product.

Report

11yr ago

Medium

@eriktorenberg @writerpollock It seems like one more place for women to fret over the minutiae of their interactions with men. Maybe it's cathartic, maybe it's useful, but that's not "female empowerment." I think one of my friends put it well: "It encourages young women to base their self-worth on signals from men. This platform is the opposite of empowering."

Report

11yr ago

Incredible

@eriktorenberg @_tessr I agree with your concern. I'd first ask, 'Have you used the product, or are you basing assumptions on the name alone.' Maybe the name is a poor choice, but the people on the platform are helpful. Second, I'd say that it depends on the mentorship through the platform whether it helps or hurts, which is probably a case by case basis just like all advice. If a woman positively advises another woman on relationships, is that a bad thing? Again, haven't used the product, but 500 Startups (this is a Batch 11 company) is one of the biggest supporters of female founders and diversity in the valley, so I'd doubt that this platform is meant to degrade women in any way. Also, here's an example of how a woman needing advice leaning in the way of positive support: http://hetexted.com/questions/ho... My two cents. I see both sides. It's definitely a gray area.

Report

11yr ago