(NEXSTAR) – Dating apps allow immediate access to a pool of candidates one could spend a lifetime trying to meet in real life, but there can be a hidden cost for users, experts say.
“Online dating is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it creates wonderful connections,” said Susan Albers, PsyD, psychologist for Cleveland Clinic. “The downside is that it can often bruise your self-esteem. Many singles struggle with feeling rejected, competition, or extreme pressure to create a false front or be perfect online.”
This dating app despair is often rooted in the nature of the app itself, Albers said. If you’ve ever found yourself paralyzed by online shopping options, the stakes only get higher with a potential partner.
A jam study by Columbia University Professor of Business Sheena Iyengar, author of “The Art of Choosing,” resulted in similar findings. Iyengar and her assistants operated a booth at a California market selling Wilkin & Sons jams. Ever few hours they would switch the display from a selection of 24 jams to just six. While the greater number of options attracted 20% more customers on average, only three percent actually bought a jar. When there were just six options, 30 percent of customers decided to buy jam.
Adding to the overwhelming decision making process, Albers says, is the way the apps have been designed to addict you to scrolling and swiping. She noted that multiple studies have connected the amount of time we spend online with feelings of depression, anxiety and stress.
On Wednesday, a lawsuit filed in Northern California against the Match Group claims just that.
Tinder, Hinge and other Match dating apps are filled with addictive features that encourage “compulsive” use, the proposed class-action lawsuit claims.
The lawsuit filed in federal court in the Northern District of California on Wednesday — Valentine’s Day — says Match intentionally designs its dating platforms with game-like features that “lock users into a perpetual pay-to-play loop” prioritizing profit over promises to help users find relationships.
Though it focuses on adults, the lawsuit comes as tech companies face increasing scrutiny over addictive features that harm young people’s mental health. Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, for instance, faces a lawsuit by dozens of states accusing it of contributing to the youth mental health crisis by designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms.
So what can people do to take advantage of the positive aspects of online dating without risking their mental health?
“Dating apps are just one tool for finding a significant other. If you are feeling burnt out or frustrated, take a break,” Albers said. “But don’t give up. Invest in your day-to-day relationships, hobbies, your self-esteem. Know that your self-worth is not linked to the outcome of these potential matches.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
