Tinder raised sex but not relationships

A new AEJ: Applied Economics paper finds that the full launch of Tinder for college students produced a sharp, persistent rise in sexual activity on campuses without increasing long‑term relationship formation or relationship quality. The rollout also increased dating‑outcome inequality (notably for men) and correlated with higher rates of sexual assault and sexually transmitted diseases, while average mental‑health measures did not worsen and female students may have seen improvements. — If dating apps primarily boost casual sex and inequality rather than stable relationships, that has direct implications for campus sexual‑assault prevention, public‑health planning (STD screening), and debates over platform regulation and age‑gating.