Sydney singles tire of dating apps in quest for love

Sydneysiders are in a complicated relationship with dating apps, as ghosting, catfishing and breadcrumbing (oh my) leave single people looking for love disillusioned and burnt out.

Sydneysiders are in a complicated relationship with dating apps, with new insights revealing they are contributing to romantic success and enduring frustration alike.

Research conducted by YouGov in 2024 reveals 30 per cent of Australians have used dating apps before, including more than half of Millennials.

The most popular apps with Australian users were Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and eHarmony. Of those, Hinge had the largest proportion of serious daters looking for exclusive relationships or life partners.

But almost a quarter of those surveyed who were looking for a serious relationship said they would prefer to meet someone in person rather than on an app.

Sydney sex therapist Georgia Grace said dating apps were full of opportunities – and also many challenges.

Sex therapist Georgia Grace. Picture: Richard Dobson

“I hear all sides of it, a lot of the time people love them (apps) and find that they’ve been able to meet people with similar interests that they’ve been able to connect with,” Grace said.

“I also hear people who often say that they will be talking with someone … but as soon as it comes to meeting up in person or, you know, actually going on a date, they find that they never actually do that with this person.”

More than half of Millennials have used a dating app before, with Tinder, Bumble and Hinge the most popular.

In many cases, the vulnerabilities and insecurities that can result from these disillusioning experiences are contributing to dating app burnout.

“When there’s still flirting and they’re still excited and romanticising the idea of the date, or a future with this person, but it never comes to fruition, that can feel really challenging,” Grace said.

“Some people feel that there is no other way to date at the moment – but a lot of people will also need breaks from it, and they need boundaries around how they use it because they can see the real impact it has on their emotional and mental health.”

The YouGov research revealed other common reasons putting people off dating apps were being catfished – misled about a person’s true identity – or having to share personal and private information.

Almost 15 per cent of those surveyed said they also felt sceptical about finding a genuine connection on a dating app.

Unwritten Dating club founder Laura-Jane Hawkins organises sophisticated, thoughtful dating events where like-minded single people in Sydney who are burnt out by apps can meet.

“People are out of practice with flirting because of dating apps, which have really changed the dating scene and sucked out the fun,” Ms Hawkins said.

“People are so tired, and really are missing the human connection – they’re looking for years to meet new people who are like-minded.”

Laura-Jane Hawkins. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

The research also revealed 52 per cent of those surveyed would be unlikely to use a dating app, and 33 per cent would never use one – suggesting that perhaps there is more love to be found in the real world yet.

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