Young People Want Dating Apps to Offer More Than Matches

Young People Want Dating Apps to Offer More Than Matches — They Want Support on Relationships and Sexual Health  

London, UK - Dating apps could play a bigger role than just helping people find matches. New research commissioned by the London Sexual Health Programme (LSHP) reveals that almost six in ten young people would be more likely to use a dating app if it offered trusted advice and support around sexual health and relationships. The findings highlight a clear opportunity for app developers to play a bigger role in promoting wellbeing and healthy communication among young app users. 

The study gathered responses from 1,004 people aged 18-25, who completed a questionnaire in August. 

What young people told us 

The findings reveal a strong appetite for dating apps that promote health, safety, and wellbeing. Respondents expressed interest in features that provide sexual health advice, STI testing, and safe, user-controlled ways to share their STI status with partners. Topics such as relationships, communication, consent, and mental health were seen as the most valuable areas for in-app support, with relationships and communication generating the greatest interest. 

A quarter of respondents specifically requested advice on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and 81% said they would like direct links to free online sexual health testing services, such as SHL.UK. Nearly half said they would be willing to share their STI test results within a dating app, while only one in four opposed the idea; almost two-thirds would like to see other users’ STI status displayed. 

Mona Hayat, Director of Sexual Health, says, “This research highlights an exciting moment for innovation in sexual health. We’re keen to explore how collaboration with dating app platforms can help normalise conversations about consent, STI result sharing, and testing - in ways that feel natural, accessible, and promote sex positivity.” 

Why this matters 

These findings come at a time when younger people are engaging less with in person sexual health services. Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows a decline in STI testing and clinic consultations among younger age groups. 

At the same time, online consultations are becoming more popular, particularly among 15–24-year-olds, showing a clear shift in how young people want to access health information and care. 

An article in TechInformed highlighted how digital tools can help make STI result sharing feel more natural and stigma-free. As one interviewee explained, “Many people meet on apps like Grindr, Tinder, and Hinge. They may only want to engage in something casual - they don’t want to share their number, but they also want some assurance that they’re engaging in informed and consensual intercourse.” 

As this research shows, young people are looking for more than just matches, they want dating apps to be a source of trusted information and support for sexual health and relationships.  

The London Sexual Health Programme brings together 31 of London’s local authorities to improve sexual and reproductive health across the capital. Working in partnership with the NHS, LSHP makes services more accessible, consistent, and inclusive - supporting Londoners to have healthy, safe, and fulfilling relationships. Our goal is simple: the best sexual and reproductive health for every Londoner. We are committed to working with partners across the digital landscape to help normalise conversations about consent, STI testing, partner notification and healthy relationships. 

We’re calling on dating app developers and digital innovators to evolve their platforms to meet users’ changing needs and build a digital culture where dating and sexual health go hand in hand, free from stigma or embarrassment. LSHP is ready to work directly with developers to pilot features and share insights from our research that promote openness, safety, and trust. 

This isn’t just about public health - it’s about user experience and brand performance. Our research shows that nearly six in ten young people are more likely to use a dating app that offers trusted sexual health and relationship advice. By integrating these features, developers can boost user trust, strengthen retention, and stand out in a crowded marketplace, becoming leaders in both digital wellbeing and modern dating culture. 

What’s next 

In response to these findings, LSHP is launching further quantitative and qualitative research to examine the experiences of older dating app users, focusing on how they engage with these platforms, and the types of sexual health and relationship support they value most.