The novelty of online dating appears to have peaked, with disillusioned singles turning to alternatives like run clubs, speed dating, and game nights. In Australia, young singles are prioritising mental health and personal values, signs of a broader shift in how they are approaching settling down.
Dr Kath Albury is a professor of media and communication at Swinburne University of Technology. She was previously lead researcher on the ARC linkage project Safety, risk and wellbeing on dating apps, a partnership with ACON Health and Family Planning NSW.
Dr Raquel Peel is a relationships expert, award-winning educator, and researcher. Her popular TEDx talk discusses relationship sabotage. Raquel has spoken at the World Science Festival and is a prolific contributor to The Conversation.
Kara Ortiga is a PhD candidate at Macquarie University in Sydney. Her research focuses on new media audiences and their relationships with technology, politics, and information. Before jumping into academia, she was a journalist in the Philippines, covering culture and the arts. Her work has been published in Esquire, VICE, and CNN Philippines, among a few.