[edwardwatson]

To offer an alternative perspective: I'm gay and live in a minor city in the UK. It's very unlikely I meet other gay men through my hobbies, it's just improbable unless you live in a major city. So the dating apps are very useful and I've met great people through it. I'm sure it's the same for other niche groups or straight people who live in rural areas, and there just aren't many single folk around.