Dating Apps reshape US college hookup culture and offer Gen Z alternatives

A recent study published in the American Economic Journal finds that the introduction of mobile dating apps, notably Tinder’s 2013 campus rollout, led to a sharp increase in sexual activity among U.S. college students without a comparable rise in committed relationships. The research also links the apps to higher reports of sexual assaults and sexually transmitted infections, while noting a modest mental‑health benefit for some female students.

Meanwhile, legacy platform AdultFriendFinder, founded in 1996, is highlighted as an alternative for Gen Z users experiencing swipe fatigue. The site features community forums, interest groups, and live‑video interactions that aim to provide more varied and less isolating ways to meet people compared with modern swipe‑based apps.