Dating app Tinder has launched a groundbreaking consent course in Australia, aimed at enhancing the understanding and practice of consent among young users.
The consent course, School of Swipe, was developed in collaboration with Chanel Contos, founder of Teach Us Consent and NGO partner, WESNET.
The initiative follows key findings from a comprehensive Consent Study that Tinder undertook with YouGov.
Data from the study revealed an alarming gap in knowledge about consent, with 45 per cent of Australian Gen Z and Millennial dating app users saying they either know ‘something’ about consent (28 per cent) or ‘little or nothing’ (17 per cent) about consent.
Seventy-nine per cent of respondents have felt pressure to conform to a partner’s intimate interests, with 18 per cent stating they often feel this pressure.
Particularly concerning is that 25 per cent of Gen Z and Millennial dating app users responded by mistakenly believing stealthing is a consensual act, or are unsure of its legality. Stealthing is the non-consensual removal of a condom before or during sexual intercourse, and the act is illegal in NSW, SA, Victoria, Tasmania, the NT and Queensland.
Only 32 per cent of respondents are confident that they know their state’s specific consent laws ‘very well’, while over one in four (27 per cent) know little to nothing about the laws.
However, a majority of respondents are on board with increased consent education, with 86 per cent believing this education should start before high school.
“This is a crucial topic in dating that tends to be poorly understood, so I’m very happy to collaborate with Tinder to provide support for young people navigating a new world,” says Chanel Contos.
“The Consent Course will play a vital role in educating young Australians about the nuances of consent. We must provide clear, practical guidance on how to ask for, give and revoke consent, accept rejection, and educate on the basics of permission and boundaries as well as the more nuanced aspects of consent.”
“This course is designed to help young daters navigate these important issues with confidence and respect, ultimately fostering healthier and more respectful relationships.”
The course is divided into four modules covering the basics of consent, applying consent in real life, dealing with consent breaches and key consent resources.
Each module aims to provide practical knowledge and tools for respectful and consensual interactions, both online and offline, via a series of videos, reading materials, and activities.
The Consent Course also features content from popular TikTok duo The Relatables, where creators Jake and Ottie discuss the complexities of consent in their videos to better reach young Australians.
“We recognise the role that Tinder plays in shaping the dating experiences of young Australians,” said Tinder’s Communications Director in Australia, Kirsty Dunn.
“The findings from our study emphasise the importance of ongoing consent education, and through our collaboration with Chanel Contos and other key partners, we aim to continue to help lead the conversation and understanding on this vital topic, leading to safer and more respectful dating environments.”