Hily Introduces “Manchild-Free” Profile Option

Dating app Hily has launched a new profile setting designed to discourage immature behavior in online dating. The “manchild-free” option allows users to signal their refusal to engage with so-called man-children – men who behave more like adolescents than adults. While partly a marketing move aligned with Sabrina Carpenter’s viral single “Manchild,” the feature is also intended to support user boundaries and improve app experiences.

The setting appears in the profile section related to parenting preferences, and while it doesn’t block anyone directly, it serves as a clear deterrent. Hily says the move is in response to widespread user feedback, particularly from women. According to internal research, 55% of women on the platform reported having dated a manchild, and 78% of those said they would not do so again.

Liubomyr Pivtorak, Hily’s Chief Product Officer, said, “Honestly, a manchild-free option has been needed for a long time.” He added that making this preference explicit was a way of giving users more agency over their dating experience – even though it currently doesn’t have any function, it effectively serves as both a warning and excuse to justify users ghosting others that clearly aren’t at the same level of maturity.

This is not the first time dating platforms have aligned with pop culture moments. Apps like Tinder and Hinge have previously rolled out features and campaigns tied to music festivals and viral trends. In this case, the Carpenter collaboration is unofficial, but strategically timed to take advantage of the concept of “manchildren” that will be planted in many fans’ minds.

Relationship experts, including Dr. Marisa T. Cohen at Hily, support the feature’s psychological basis, arguing that immature behavior in dating can lead to unhealthy relationship dynamics. While some may view the new setting as symbolic, Hily maintains it will remain active “as long as ya’ll need it.” For many users, that might be longer than expected.