Tinder’s new consent education program represents the dating app’s latest effort to enhance young Australian users’ understanding and application of consent in online interactions.
The initiative, known as School of Swipe, was developed through a partnership between Chanel Contos, the founder of not-for-profit organisation Teach Us Consent, and the Women’s Services Network. Rather than being integrated directly within the app, School of Swipe directs users to an external platform where they can access a range of resources. These include the Dating Dictionary: Consent Edition, a series of informative videos created by the podcast duo the Relatables and additional contextual information provided by Contos herself.
School of Swipe comes in response to research conducted by Tinder that revealed troubling gaps in consent awareness among Australian youth. The study found that while many young Australians feel confident about their understanding of consent, significant misconceptions persist. Notably, 25% of gen z and millennial dating app users either incorrectly believe that stealthing – the non-consensual removal of a condom – is acceptable or are unsure of its legal status. Furthermore, a concerning 79% of respondents reported feeling pressure to conform to a partner’s intimate preferences rather than asserting their own boundaries.
Tinder’s initiative reflects a broader movement within the online dating industry to address criticism and enhance user safety. Historically Tinder has faced substantial scrutiny for its perceived failure to implement effective regulatory measures and collaborate with law enforcement to protect vulnerable users. The app has previously been criticised for contributing to an environment where harassment and abuse are prevalent.
In 2020 my research on dating apps and intimacy revealed that many women experienced technologically facilitated violence. This included unsolicited sexual imagery, harassment and stalking. Disturbingly, many women normalised these negative experiences, viewing them as inherent to using dating apps. The dating environment was often described as a “meat market”, reflecting the pervasive and distressing nature of these interactions.
The Australian government has also taken steps to address these problems. In January 2023 a national roundtable on online dating safety brought together representatives from the industry, governments, the family, domestic and sexual violence sectors, and victim-survivor advocates. The outcome of this meeting was a clear message to dating apps: self-regulate effectively or face formal regulation. In response, dating apps including Tinder have agreed to a voluntary code of conduct that includes improved collaboration with law enforcement, platform-wide bans on inappropriate behaviour, and enhanced user education.
Despite these developments, School of Swipe is not without its critics. One significant concern is the external nature of the website: not being accessible in the Tinder app may limit the program’s reach and impact. There is also concern that framing sexual violence as a matter of “miscommunication” or a lack of education may obscure deeper, systemic issues or downplay sexual violence. Education alone may not be sufficient to address the more profound issues that contribute to abuse.
Research indicates that certain groups are particularly vulnerable to online and offline dating violence. Women, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTIQIA+ individuals and Indigenous users often face intersecting forms of discrimination and abuse. These groups may benefit from more inclusive and culturally specific approaches that address their needs and ensure their voices are heard in the development of safety measures.
School of Swipe’s effectiveness will depend on its ability to engage with these diverse and vulnerable populations meaningfully. While the program represents an important step towards improving online dating safety, ongoing evaluation and adaptation will be crucial. The challenge remains to create a more comprehensive approach that not only educates users about consent but addresses the underlying problems of abuse and discrimination that persist in the online dating sphere.
As the industry continues to evolve, the focus on consent and user safety will remain critical. Initiatives including School of Swipe are a start, but they must be part of a broader, more inclusive strategy to ensure that all users can engage in safe and respectful interactions. The success of these efforts will be measured not just by the reach of educational programs but by tangible improvements in user safety and the reduction of harmful behaviours directed towards women and vulnerable users.
Dr Lisa Portolan is an academic at the University of Technology Sydney and the author of several books, including Love, Intimacy and Online Dating: How a Global Pandemic Redefined Intimacy
