If You’re Alone This Valentine's Day Don’t Worry—You Can Blame Online Dating For That

Despite people flocking to apps like Tinder and RSVP in droves, there has been a sharp increase in the number of singles in Australia.

So, what gives?

SBS reports the rate of single-person households has skyrocketed since the 1970s. It isn’t expected to flatline any time soon either. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates the number will continue to increase by around 63 per cent over the next 20 years.

With online dating services flourishing, why could this be?

It might just be because we have too much choice. We scroll through—what seems like—endless options of potential mates. Users aren’t afraid to be picky and quick with their decisions… which, paradoxically, is contributing to a rising number of singles.

Speaking to Insight, one woman said: “I think because [decision making in dating apps] is so fast paced we’ve conditioned people to just wonder, ‘what’s next?’”

She continued, “I think a lot of people my age are concerned that the person that they’re on a date with is thinking, ‘is there something better?’ Like, ‘who can I go on a date with next?’”

One social researcher who specializes in the convergence of dating and technology is Hugh Mackay. He speculates these trends are part of a bigger social move towards favouring individualism.

“There’s been a lot of references to freedom and independence and loss of stigma about being a solo person and the multiplicity of choice,” he told Insight host Jenny Brockie.

“All of this is part of the culture shift away from our herd instincts towards a much more individualistic approach where people are saying, ‘it’s about me, I want to keep my options open, it’s my choice, it’s all about my happiness’.”

Or, y’know, maybe we’re all just happier being alone.

Nothin’ wrong with that.