How This App is Fighting the Loneliness Epidemic

Tackling the loneliness crisis is no easy task, but it's the mission that clinical psychologist Rachel Harker has taken on for over a decade. After working with youth mental health service Headspace, she's gone out on her own to found Tribal, a new dating and friendship app that's redefining social connections, people form authentic, meaningful relationships in an era often marked by superficial interactions.

We got the chance to chat with Rachel about being young and lonely, the part social media plays in our wellbeing, and what's being done to bring people together in a meaningful way:

Y13: We’ve heard lots of people talk about a loneliness crisis for young people, but what does that really mean, and why is it such a big problem?

Rachel: The loneliness crisis isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a real mental and physical health issue. Loneliness is that heavy feeling of disconnection, like you’re not really seen or supported, and it can be incredibly distressing. Loneliness and social isolation are so widespread, and young people are among the most affected. We live in a world where we are more digitally connected than ever but in reality, we are more disconnected than ever. Something has gone wrong, and we need to fix it.

Why do young people, especially in their late teens seem to feel more lonely than people who are younger or older?

Late teens are a time of huge change: with significant shifts in your identity, belonging, and independence. If you don’t feel seen or supported in that time, it can feel incredibly isolating. Social media is definitely playing a role in this as well, with curated reels fuelling comparison culture and triggering low mood, anxiety and self-esteem issues.

That being said, the feeling of being lonely or isolated definitely isn’t a new thing – when I’ve talked to my mum and dad about being young and lonely they can relate, but it does feel like our generation is experiencing loneliness in a totally new way. What do you think it is about this generation and why we seem to feel especially lonely?

The world is a different place today. The current generation grew up online, they’re used to filtered versions of people, but not deep, real connection. Social connection is a fundamental human need. The younger generation are craving something more meaningful, and they’re not getting it.

Making new friends and dating seems to be in a really weird place right now. So much of our social lives are online now, so in some ways it makes sense that we do most of our platonic and romantic relationship building online too. At the same time, it feels like all the really big apps out there promised us that we would be having heaps of great dates, making friends and finding the one, but that’s definitely not the experience of the people I know – so what’s missing?

What’s missing is depth. Most apps are built for swiping, not for connection. They promised intimacy but delivered transactions and it’s had a serious impact on how we view relationships. We need tools that help us show up as our real selves and to connect in deeper, more authentic ways. We need to use technology for good but also get people offline and interacting in real life.

You’ve developed an app on your own that is out there to solve so many of these problems. What makes it different from the other apps out there?

Tribal is built for depth, it’s the opposite of swipe culture. We’re a friendship and dating app that connects users based on real compatibility, not hot takes or selfies. It’s about creating something that supports your mental health and leaves you feeling more connected, not more drained or judged. We are so passionate about helping our users find their person, whether that’s friend or partner.

A few things that make us difference include our Tribal Map, where you’ll see a visual overlay of your core values (with future updates visually showing how you align with a potential match); our 72-hour photo blur, which slows things down and helps you connect beyond appearances; and voice memos, to bring personality into the mix early. We will also provide curated resources and recommendations for our users, from date or hang out ideas and tools for building and maintaining connections. We will be rolling out some community events in the coming months as well.

So, after you match with someone, their profile pics are blurred for the first 72 hours. That’s a pretty big difference from other dating and friendship apps out there. Why did you add that in as a feature?

The 72-hour photo blur is one of the features I am most passionate about. It’s definitely different to what is out there but there is so much science behind why it’s important. The blurred photo feature gives people time to connect as humans, emotionally and intellectually, before looks take over. It’s about slowing things down and focusing on who someone is, not just what they look like. We aren’t saying attraction doesn’t matter, we are just advocating for our users to focus on the emotional, deeper bonds first because that is what lasts.

What advice would you give to anyone out there feeling lonely and isolated at the moment?

You’re not alone, even if it feels that way. Reach out to someone you trust, whether it’s a friend, teacher, or parent, and let them know how you feel. Together you can come up with a plan that feels manageable. Consider trying something new, a class or a new hobby, take small steps, and be honest about how you’re feeling.

Connection is out there. However, if loneliness is causing you anxiety or distress, there is no shame in seeking support from a trusted professional to help you find the tools to move forward.

And of course, download Tribal! Your next friend or partner might just be one click away.

About Rachel:

Rachel Harker is a Clinical Psychologist with over a decade of specialised experience in youth mental health, driven by a mission to improve mental health, overall well-being and reduce loneliness. Over her ten-year tenure at headspace Camperdown, Rachel held various roles, most recently serving as Clinical Lead before stepping down to focus on Tribal full-time, a groundbreaking friendship and dating app she founded. Tribal aims to redefine social connections, helping people form authentic, meaningful relationships in an era often marked by superficial interactions.  

In addition to her extensive clinical background, Rachel has experience in management and supervision and is a board-approved supervisor. She regularly shares insights across press, publications and podcast appearances, combining clinical knowledge and a passion for social impact. Her work with Tribal reflects her commitment to using technology as a force for good, fostering deeper, more meaningful human connection.

If you're struggling with your mental health, there's always help available. 

Lifeline - 13 11 14

Youth Beyond Blue - 1300 22 46 36

Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800