The decline of dating apps

[00:00.41] The course of true love never did run smooth, Lysander tells us in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

[00:08.11] Wise words many, would say. In the fast-paced world of modern life, it can be difficult to meet anyone, let alone our soulmate.

[00:18.20] Fortunately, there's an app for that, though wooing a potential partner is still up to you.

[00:25.64] Dating apps like Tinder, Bumble and Chappy have been around for a good few years and statistics prove their ongoing popularity.

[00:36.53] Tinder claims to get 1.6 billion swipes per day.

[00:41.58] A study conducted by globaldatinginsights.com, analysts of the online dating industry, found that lonely hearts in the UK spent 10 hours a week using them to find someone to go out with.

[00:55.66] And finally, a 2018 YouGov survey conducted on behalf of BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat found that of over 2000 16-34-year-olds, nearly half had used a dating app at some point.

[01:12.13] That said, the very same survey found that only 17% had met their current beau on an app.

[01:19.56] And 37% said that using an app was their least preferred method to find a potential mate to take out, for a fling or otherwise.

[01:30.45] One possible reason for this comes from one respondent, 26-year-old Jordan.

[01:36.56] He believes that dating apps create issues with self-doubt and anxiety.

[01:42.14] "You're judged for the person you are on screen and not for the person you are," he told the BBC.

[01:49.31] As people open themselves up to more rejection, it can lead to feelings of depression, says relationship psychologist Madeleine Mason Roantree.

[01:59.14] Indeed, Jordan says he's been judged on dating apps for being "too young, too old and too fat."

[02:07.64] Deception can be another issue, with profiles often stretching the truth.

[02:12.69] Twenty-year-old Emma told Newsbeat about meeting a suitor whose height matched hers on their profiles, only to find he was a foot shorter in reality.

[02:23.58] Twenty-four-year-old Mikey believes dating apps are "quite Catfish-y" after meeting someone whose profile picture did not match their appearance.

[02:33.67] So does this mean that dating apps are a waste of time? It depends.

[02:39.25] Over 25% of those asked by YouGov might not agree.

[02:43.76] They were going steady or had tied the knot as a result of a dating app.

[02:49.61] A happily ever after might only be round the corner, but one way to find out is to swipe right and see.