Online Dating Is Bad For Mental Health, Science Says!

Online dating has become more and more popular, but it turns out, it can be a real bummer too. While it can be a great way to meet more people, it can also normalize offensive behavior, like ghosting and orbiting, which can leave singles feeling bad about themselves.

A 2017 study of 1,300 college students found that those who used the dating site Tinder regularly tended to have lower self-esteem and more body image issues than those who didn’t. Researchers found being actively involved with Tinder was linked to “body dissatisfaction, body shame, comparing oneself physically to others and reliance on media for information on appearance and attractiveness.”

And these findings backup other studies that found social media can make people feel depressed because it encourages us to constantly compare ourselves to others. The increase of tech addiction feeds into the negative effects of online dating, too. In a Match.com survey from last year, one in six adults admit to being “addicted” to the process of trying to find a mate, which isn’t good for their mental health.

The Internet can be a helpful place for some things, however. Research has shown that posting about your fitness goals on Instagram can help you drop pounds and other research has found that certain Reddit groups can help people fighting depression. Online dating has benefits as well, get this - one in five couples today meet online and some statistics project that by 2040, 70% of relationships will start online. But it also comes with some rejection, so try not to take it too personally and hang in there.

Source: Best Life