SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — Tinder is launching its new “Consent Course” in Australia, developed in collaboration with Chanel Contos, Founder of Teach Us Consent, and NGO partner, WESNET.
This innovative educational resource is now live on Tinder’s School of Swipe microsite and aims to enhance the understanding and practice of consent among young Australian daters. The course is divided into four engaging modules covering the basics of consent, applying consent IRL, 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 initiative follows the latest findings from a comprehensive “Consent Study” that Tinder undertook with YouGov, highlighting a significant need for improved consent education among young Australians using dating apps and the importance of Tinder’s work in this space. A key standout from the study shows an alarming gap in knowledge about consent, particularly with 25%1 of Gen Z and Millennial dating app users mistakenly believing “stealthing” is a consensual act, or are unsure of its legality.
The Findings from Tinder’s Consent Study in Australia include:
- 55% of Australian Gen Z and Millennial dating app users are confident that they know “very well” what consent is.
- While a combined 45% say they know “something” (28%) or admit they know “little or nothing” (17%) about consent.
- Only 32% of respondents are confident that they know their state’s specific consent laws “very well.” While over one in four (27%) know little to nothing about these.
- 25% of Gen Z and Millennial dating app users mistakenly believe stealthing is a consensual activity or are unsure about its legality.
- 86% of respondents believe consent education should start before finishing high school.
- 79% of respondents have felt pressure to conform to a partner’s intimate interests, with 18% stating they often feel this pressure.
Meanwhile, in the wider Asia Pacific region, 25% of young singles find navigating consent as one of the most difficult aspects of dating.
The Consent Course, which aims to address these gaps in education, also features engaging content from popular TikTok duo The Relatables. Jake and Ottie discuss the complexities of consent in their videos, and offer practical advice and a relatable approach, enhancing the course’s accessibility and impact on young Australians. “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,” said 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.”
“We recognize the role that Tinder plays in shaping the dating experiences of young Australians,” commented 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.”
“This initiative is incredibly important and comes at a crucial time,” commented The Relatables. “Collaborating with Tinder on the Consent Course feels like such a significant step forward in educating young Australians about the complexities of consent. This course isn’t just about the basics — it’s about offering clear and practical guidance on how to navigate the nuances of asking for, giving, and even revoking consent. We’re genuinely excited to be part of something that has the potential to shape healthier and more respectful relationships for so many young people. The impact this could have is profound, and it’s initiatives like this that truly make a difference.”
Tinder’s Consent Course forms part of its broader industry-leading efforts to build trust and ensure safety by promoting respectful dating practices. Over the past three years, Tinder has released more than 20 safety features such as ID Verification, Warnings, Are You Sure and Does This Bother You in order to enhance the experience for its users while setting new standards for the entire online dating industry.
The Consent Course is available on Tinder’s School of Swipe microsite. This is the latest initiative from Tinder in Australia focused on educating users on dating safety. In addition to the course, users can also access the comprehensive Dating Safety Guide and Dating Dictionary: Consent Edition, which provide valuable information to help navigate the dating landscape safely and with confidence.
