Description: What can be dangerous in using a dating app? How to use dating apps to protect your mental health, avoid disappointment, and a broken heart? This article will give you some basic tips for your dating comfort.

It is especially convenient that dating sites are now being replaced by similar mobile applications, which are always in your pocket, close at hand. But before you plunge into the virtual world of new relationships on the best dating sites 2020 or download such an application to your smartphone, study the pitfalls that it contains. How to use dating apps without getting addicted? In this article, we will tell you how to use dating apps, avoiding social anxiety. Stay tuned to find out more.

What do researchers say?

Tinder, which has been in the online dating market for eight years, has proven to be dangerous for the unstable psyche, according to The Guardian.

And a recent study by American and Korean scientists analyzed the side effects of the so-called “swipe.” Scientists have focused specifically on the cognitive-behavioral type of social anxiety. They surveyed 437 participants who actively used dating applications, based on which several definite conclusions were drawn. It turned out that anxiety-prone people felt even lonelier in this app. Despite the difficulties, they continued to swipe.

People with low self-esteem have also suffered from dating apps. Feelings of anxiety and loneliness increased because users who were not self-confident entered applications more often than others, the researchers said.

Tinder and similar applications are so popular because of their “gambling” component: finding a partner becomes something like a game. The app has something common in addiction to sports betting or slot machines. One of the company’s founders admitted that he used certain mechanisms in Tinder, which he had learned during psychology lectures.

Anthropologist Helen Fisher admits that dating apps is a new thing, and we just haven’t learned how to use them properly yet. The goal of Tinder and similar apps is not to find love but to meet new people. The researcher advises using dating apps without obsession: find no more than nine interesting matches and chat with them. If all of them fail, return to live acquaintance and communication.

How to Use Dating Apps and Protect your Mental Health?

Protect your data

How to use dating apps safely? Protecting your personal information is the most important step to take after registering on a dating app. Do not enter your phone number, address, or e-mail anywhere. We recommend that you create a separate dating mail to not mix dating with the rest of your life. Remember not to register mail containing your first and last name. The same applies to your nickname on the site itself, Skype account, etc. Only after securing your data can you dive into the fascinating world of online dating. This precaution will help you to protect yourself from the over-intrusiveness of some users.

Take your time

How to use dating apps successfully? If you come across matches that seem perfect at first glance, take your time to know them better. Firstly, people who offer you a date after five minutes of communication are at least extremely suspicious. You should continue to communicate and try to learn more about the person. Match their profile information with their stories. Analyze everything with a cool head because it is very easy to indicate incorrect information and attach someone else’s photo (except for sites with photo-ID.)

The longer you communicate with a potential partner, the more you will understand whether this person is right for you. So you will save yourself from those people who can potentially harm you.

However, you should not stretch the texting for many months because if you fall in love online and then meet in six months and get disappointed, you will be hurt, and you will experience deep frustration.

Protect your own space

If any communication or future meeting with a new person makes you uncomfortable, stop it immediately. Some people do not want to build relationships on dating sites but take out some of their fears or even mental disorders. If you have been sent an offensive letter or dirty insinuation, block the user, and inform the application support. It’s okay to protect yourself and your mental state.

Be prudent

How to use dating apps responsibly? Try to exclude behavior that can be interpreted in a way that you don’t even mean. It includes the use of sexual names, posting provocative photographs, teasing, or expressions that have sexual connotations.

Do not trust the virtual interlocutors completely, no matter how you like them, and remember that everything you send can be used against you, and you obviously will not like it.

Remember about reality

Dating applications are addictive, and it has been known for a long time. Know how to draw the line between your real-life and virtual relationships. Don’t let virtual life turn into an addiction and take away your joy in reality. Limit the time spent in the app and control your emotions.

Conclusion

Online dating can cause a certain danger to your mental health, creating addiction and anxiety. However, the good news is that you can meet your love or satisfy your desires if you take even simple flirting seriously. By taking simple measures to keep yourself safe, you will have a good time finding the company you desire.

We hope that our tips on how to use dating apps and staying safe can help you protect yourself both physically and mentally. 

Please tell us about your dating app experience. Do you know how to use dating apps effectively? What is the most important thing for you when communicating?