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The Dark Side of Dating Apps: Jana Hocking’s Revealing Insights

In a recent appearance on SBS’s “Insights” program, Jana Hocking shared her thoughts on the increasingly troubling world of dating apps. The episode, titled “The Dating Gamble,” explored whether these platforms are truly beneficial or just another digital distraction.

Hocking, a single woman in her 30s, found herself in a room full of experts who echoed her concerns about dating apps’ impact on mental health and finances. The panel included a variety of perspectives: a couple who found love online, perpetual swipers, a finance expert investing in dating apps, a researcher, and a psychologist who has observed the psychological effects of these platforms.

The discussion quickly revealed that dating apps have evolved from simple matchmaking tools to complex, profit-driven systems designed to keep users hooked. Hocking described the transformation from straightforward profiles and swipes to a maze of ads, bright colors, quizzes, and relentless subscription prompts.

Psychologist Anastasia Hronis from the University of Technology Sydney compared the dopamine rush from dating apps to gambling. “Just the thought of checking for matches can set off a dopamine hit,” Hronis explained, likening the anticipation to that of a potential win in gambling.

Investment analyst Angus Donohoo reinforced this notion, comparing the swipe for potential matches to scratching a lottery ticket. He suggested that dating apps are more focused on keeping users engaged rather than helping them find meaningful connections.

Statistics presented during the episode painted a stark picture: the top 1 percent of women receive an overwhelming number of likes, while the bottom 50 percent of men struggle to get noticed. This disparity drives a significant gender imbalance on platforms like Tinder and Ashley Madison, which lean towards hook-up culture, as opposed to Bumble, which is seen as more relationship-oriented.

Fellow guest Lisa Portolan, who completed her PhD on online dating, noted that only about 40 percent of the 3 million Australians on these apps meet someone worthwhile. This underscores the grim reality of the dating app landscape.
Hocking’s candid recount of the episode concluded with a sobering realization: Cupid left these apps long ago. The insights shared were eye-opening, prompting a friend to text Hocking mid-episode: “Holy hell, maybe I’ll just stay married.” It’s a sentiment many might share after hearing the revelations from The Dating Gamble.

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