Americans crave efficiency, and dating apps promised them just that. For people juggling work, school, and the pressure of social media, the idea of “swiping right” for a quick fix seems like progress, but actually, it’s proving to be damaging to mental health. The half-hearted swiping isn’t love, it’s exhausting.
According to Forbes, 78% of users reported they felt “dating app burnout” in 2025. Users across several apps participated, but the majority of the users reporting they experienced burnout were Gen Z using Tinder.
This is supported by research from Computers in Human Behavior. Their study found that chronic dating app use was associated with increased emotional fatigue and lower dating satisfaction, primarily in young adults. Users reported they felt overwhelmed by choice while constantly feeling replaceable.
This paradox is particularly interesting to me: more options lead to less fulfillment?
Dating apps use algorithms designed to keep users engaged. Swiping left or right actually mimics the same dopamine hits as slot machines: the “match” feels validating in the moment, but they very rarely turn into a deep connection.
These dopamine hits feed addictive cycles, bringing users back again and again just to flirt, then ultimately, get rejected again. Like casinos, dating apps thrive when users continue their search — a fulfilled user leaves the app because they’ve found what they needed.
Computers in Human Behavior found that this cycle is especially common on college campuses, where dating apps have become embedded in the culture in recent years. This is consistent with what I’ve observed at SVSU: people think of dating apps as the default way to meet other single people, even if they don’t really enjoy using the apps themselves.
This is detrimental to self-image; if people are relying on curated photos and catchy pickup lines to get someone to “like” them, they’re going to think there’s something wrong with them if they aren’t getting enough matches. The only thing coming out of this is self-objectification and, ultimately, a deflated sense of self.
It’s also important to note that when meeting people online, honesty isn’t as common in these profiles as one would hope. 21% of participants in the Forbes survey admitted to lying about their age, and 14% lied about their income. 15% of men lied about their height.
Sure, the risk of being lied to is still there when meeting in person, but it’s much harder to fake something like age or height without the help of filters or cropped photos.
We have to remember that although it’s individuals using the apps, it’s a systemic failure. Success stories are real, and some lasting relationships do come from apps; however, the negatives outweigh the positives more often than not.
I would encourage chronic Tinder and Hinge users to take a mental health break — be present and see what connection can be found outside of the screen. Taking a walk on campus or attending an event you usually wouldn’t could be the perfect place to make a move.
Second, we need to define as a whole what “successful” dating looks like. Is it the constant swiping loop, or is it slowing down and being selective? Being picky isn’t a bad thing if a long-term relationship is what you’re seeking!
Dating apps were created to make connection easier, but instead, they’ve made it infinitely harder. It’s time we delete the dopamine loop and move back into reality.
https://www.forbes.com/health/dating/dating-app-fatigue
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563224003832
Gavynn Koteles 
Zachary McEvoy 
Riley Hurley