5 Psychological Effects of Online Dating

Online dating just like any other activity, has psychological effects on the couple that are dating and the effects become more pronounced with long-term use.

Here are more details on the 5 psychological effects of dating online for a long time:

1. Rejection causes mental harm – A series of surveys have proved that 50% of online matches do not return messages. This can cause mental harm. Rejection is very high in online dating compared to non-digital world dating. Several rejections can affect the mental health of some people. The parts of our brains that get activated during physical pain can also get activated when we are faced with rejections.

2. Ghosting dehumanizes and causes danger – Ghosting is associated with online dating and can be dehumanizing and dangerous. Ghosting, or breaking off communication with another person without notice, warning, or reason, is increasingly seen as quite normal. Following a brief exchange in online dating, a person may choose to just not reply to a message. While such behavior may initially appear rude or disrespectful, it now seems commonplace in online communication.

3. Online dating apps could lower self-esteem – The use of online dating apps can lower one's self-esteem. Not getting matches is one of the most common negative effects of online dating. After all, the whole point of dating apps is to get matches—mostly because it then enables you to message someone and get to know them, but also because it’s a big ego boost! If you’re not getting many matches compared to your other friends using apps, or you feel as though you’re constantly liking people and never getting anything back, you’re probably feeling pretty depressed. This can have a huge impact on how we feel about ourselves.

4. Loneliness and more shallow relationships – Online dating can lead to loneliness and more shallow relationships.

5. Online dating increases indecisiveness – The use of online dating can increase indecisiveness.