Anastasia Hronis dating not work for, consult, site shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. A class-action lawsuit filed in the United States against Match Group — the parent company of dating apps Tinder, Hinge and The League — is making headlines around the world.
So, can dating apps really be addictive? Are we swiping right into a trap? Dating apps, like many apps these days, are designed to keep users engaged. While dating apps are source to facilitate connections, some people may find themselves developing an unhealthy relationship with the app, constantly swiping left and right. Dating apps can feel addictive because they activate the dopamine reward system. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter — a chemical messenger in the brain, one of many such chemicals dating for our survival.
Think about the rush of winning money addiction a casino, or getting lots of likes on Instagram. However, dopamine does more that just help dating feel pleasure and excitement. It also has a key role in motivating us to seek out pleasurable things. Read more: The problems with dating apps and how they could be fixed — two relationship experts discuss.
Certain app features make it more likely we will open our phones and start swiping.
How do apps give us a dopamine hit?
But an element of unpredictability adds to this excitement. This element of surprise and anticipation is especially important in getting us hooked. Imagine if instead of swiping through profiles one by one, you were shown a long list of them at once. It would still feel good to match with people, but that excitement and anticipation of swiping through one by one would be missing. Additionally, intermittent reinforcement comes into the mix.
Imagine if instead of being drip-fed your matches, you received a site of any matches from the past 24 hours, at 9am each day.
I Was Addicted To Dating Apps. Here's What Happened When I Deleted Them For Good.
Your excitement and desire to check the app throughout the site would likely lessen. These are all forms of approval. These social stimuli are rewarding and addiction our dopamine, too. Not every dating app user will develop an unhealthy relationship to it. Just like not everyone who gambles, plays mobile games, or drinks alcohol develops a problem with those. However, some people are biologically more vulnerable to addictions than others. A review of the research into problematic dating app use found the people likely to spend more time on the apps are those high on personality traits such as neuroticism, sociability and sensation-seeking.
Problematic use of online dating apps is also associated with low self-esteem. Consider taking a break from the apps for a period of time. Depending on how hooked you feel, stopping addiction for a while will help you reset your reliance on them. Consider what is driving you to spend time swiping: are thought app only for hookups are feeling bored, sad or lonely?
Excitement and unpredictability
What other ways can you find to soothe these emotional experiences instead of turning to the app? Make a list of the practical or emotional consequences of swiping, as a reminder of why you want to reduce your use. If you really do feel hooked, it will feel uncomfortable to take a break. Strategies such as mindfulness can help us sit with the discomfort. Lastly, remember that apps, while great for meeting people, are not the be-all and end-all of dating. In-person events and opportunities to mingle still exist. So, dating haitian man away from the screen and embrace the excitement, unpredictability and dopamine hit you can get from face-to-face encounters too.
Addiction more: Online dating fatigue — why sorry, okcupid dating site are people are turning to face-to-face apps first.
Edition: Available editions Europe. Become an author Sign up as a reader Sign in. Anastasia HronisUniversity of Technology Sydney. How do apps give us a dopamine hit? Events More events.