Shy teen Joshua Shephard posts on Facebook looking for a date to his school dance

Joshua Shephard has now narrowed his search down to two girls who got in touch with him after seeing his post. Photo / Facebook

A shy Aussie teenager is reeling in dates by the dozen after he took to social media in his search for a prospective date for his school dance.

Perth student Joshua Shephard posted a request for a date on a Facebook group page for his Ballajura Community College ball next month.

"Seeing if there were any 15-19 year olds in this group that would be willing to go to my Year 12 ball with me in March this year," the 17-year-old posted.

"Comment below and I'll pm you."

Perth Now reports Joshua has since become a social media sensation, with offers flooding in to help him out.

Businesses have offered to do the hair and make-up for his date, while parents have said they'll allow him to take their daughters to the ball.

Joshua had just been through a break up and was left "heartbroken".

He was originally going to go to the ball alone, but has since narrowed his search down to two girls who got in touch with him after seeing his post.

"I started to realise that if I did go alone that I would start to think about her so I thought I'd like for a girl to go with me," he told Perth Now.

"I'm not a very confident person face-to-face so I thought I would take it to Facebook ... I wasn't really expecting (such a big response)."

Using the internet for mates and dates is apparently pretty effective.

Just a couple of days ago, Aussie pensioner Ray Johnstone captured hearts across Australia by posting an appeal for fishing buddies on Gumtree.

More than 100 anglers from across the country reportedly got in touch with the 75-year-old, and he's since narrowed the search down to about four possible fishing buddies.

How we ever managed to survive before the internet is one of life's great mysteries.