WELLBEING

Are dating apps dead? Why old-fashioned romance is back

9 August, 2024 . 0

Statistics suggest people are turning away from dating apps in favour of real-life introductions. Here’s why, plus how to embrace the romance renaissance.

Back in 2020, dating apps hit peak popularity, with Tinder recording more than 3 billion swipes worldwide in a single day – a “swipe activity” record it went on to achieve another 130 times during the same year.

But fast forward to 2024 and the latest user and revenue numbers suggest that dating apps may be steadily losing some of their shine.

“This downward trend in the use of dating apps has been visible since post-Covid,” dating coach Iona Yeung says.

“After we came out of lockdowns, people just wanted to seek connection.

“Also, finding love on dating apps has become transactional – you swipe as quickly as you can and it can be easy to forget that there’s an actual person behind that profile.”

Dating app fatigue is turning people off

A recent Forbes Health Survey suggests 79 per cent of Gen Z dating app users are feeling burned out by the experience.

Relationship and intimacy coach Susie Kim says she has noticed this trend among Millennial dating app users too.

“The culture on dating apps isn’t what it was 10 years ago, or even five years ago,” Susie says.

“There’s more ghosting, there’s potentially less effort being put in and there’s also this feeling that you really have to trawl through lots and lots of people just to find someone who’s on the same page as you … people keep telling me they feel both tired and overwhelmed by the apps.”

An alarming number of dating app users experience abuse

According to a 2022 research report by the Australian Institute of Criminology, three quarters of dating app users experienced online sexual violence.

Iona says she is not surprised, given the anonymity you can have behind a screen.

“These keyboard warriors can do a lot of physical and emotional damage to someone’s self-confidence,” she says.

“This, on top of swiping with no real connection, can be disheartening.”

The report also revealed that a third of dating app users had been subjected to in-person sexual violence by someone they had met through an app.

So, is old-school dating really back?

In short, yes. Susie says while dating apps are unlikely to disappear completely, people are definitely dating differently these days.

“While there’s a proportion of people who have sworn off the apps completely, what I’m seeing among my clients is that they’re now setting limits around how much they’re using them and are taking extended breaks,” Susie explains.

And many are finding inventive ways to make in-person connections.

“People are joining run clubs, for example, specifically with the intent of meeting someone,” Susie says.

Iona says people have also gone back to meeting people through friends or within their own networks.

“I thought we’d see a big resurgence of ‘singles events’ or matchmakers in the dating scene, but instead we’re in an era of wanting to meet people at our local spots,” Iona says.

How to embrace the romance renaissance

Iona says like attracts like, and she suggests taking up a new hobby or activity you’re genuinely interested in.

“Then, attend events where you don’t know anyone – if you don’t make a connection, you can make a new friend,” Iona says.

Susie suggests simply being more present as you’re going about your day.

“People are often so buried in their headphones or their phone when they’re out and about that they don’t even notice people,” Susie says.

“If you’re single and you’re going to a cafe or even just to the grocery store, instead of being locked on your phone, actually look around, smile at people and if there’s someone you think you might be interested in, start a conversation – you’ve got nothing to lose.”

More on dating and romance:

Written by Karen Fittall.