Dating apps can have negative effect on body image, well-being, and mental health!

Published on February 10, 2025 | Published By: shahid | In Dating , Health

A new Australian meta-analysis has shown that dating apps can have deleterious effects on body image, well-being, and mental state of the user.

Table of Contents

Dating apps in modern days

Online dating started in this century and has continued to rise. People of all ages resort to this virtual dating and the various apps for it to find a match and love partner for self.

During the pandemic of Covid and the subsequent lockdown, this form of dating gained importance and became quite popular. Because personal social networking was banned at that time due to the virus.

After that, dating apps continue to rule the dating landscape. However, it is showing a steady decline due to various reasons.

On these dating apps, photos are predominantly used while searching for a suitable match. Users might like or reject someone initially based solely on the photos uploaded in the user profile.

Hence, users get conscious of their body image. The beauty is given more importance than the traits and this could increase body image concerns.

When a user does not get any proposals, body image issues might again arise. This may worsen if some derogatory remarks are posted on the profile from other users. This can give rise to mood issues, can lower self-esteem, and also cause anxiety or depression.

The new Australian review from Adelaide

Researchers from Flinders University of Australia did a detailed meta-analysis of studies that tried to find the correlation between dating apps and body image, well-being, and mental health of the users.

They analysed a total of 45 studies that were published in the period from 2016 to 2023. Most of these studies were from the developed Western nations of the US, UK, and Australia.

22 of these studies focused on impact of dating apps use on body image of users. This included body dissatisfaction, muscle dissatisfaction or presence of eating disorders in users.

While 29 of the 45 studies tried to find out the correlation between dating apps use and mental health and well-being issues in users. The studies had limitations. They were cross-sectional with no follow ups. Moreover, direct causality could not be ascertained. Additionally, most of the study population included White people.

What did the review reveal?

The research showed that in more than 85% of the studies, dating apps had a significant negative impact on body image of the users. And 48.6% of the studies revealed that dating online can affect the users’ well-being and mental health adversely.

Also, read Beware! Virtual dating is addictive and exploitative!

This is concerning. The competitive, addictive environment of these apps cause users to keep swiping despite getting no matches. This seriously affects the mental well-being.

The authors, therefore, concluded that match-making app developers should make alterations in the apps to decrease the negativity associated with them. There should be decreased visual effects on the user profiles and discriminatory and offensive remarks should be moderated.

Already, the Australian government has introduced a code of conduct on dating apps to lessen the harassment there. It will come into effect from April 2025.

Also, users should minimize the use of these apps and prioritize their mental health and well-being. Use these platforms but with caution.

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