What Are The Emotional Impacts Of Online Dating Through Dating Apps Like Bumble?

Medically reviewed by Majesty Purvis, LCMHC
Updated November 4th, 2025 by Regain Editorial Team

Key takeaways

  • Online dating can have a wide range of emotional impacts, varying greatly from one individual and situation to the next. 
  • While online dating can have positive effects, such as creating opportunities for forming new connections that boost well-being, it can also have negative effects on self-esteem and mental health. 
  • For help navigating online dating or coping with the negative impacts of a difficult experience on the apps, you can connect with a qualified therapist for compassionate support. 

Online dating apps like Bumble and Tinder have become increasingly common, and many people meet via online platforms. Online dating can have both positive and negative emotional impacts. It can create new social connections, boost self-esteem, and enhance mental health in some cases. In other situations, though, online dating can negatively impact self-esteem and mental health. Those who have experienced the negative impacts of online dating may benefit from seeking therapeutic support, which can also prepare them for healthy relationships in the future.

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What is online dating?

With the advent of the internet, dating has increasingly moved to online platforms, such as websites and apps typically created by a software developer. Online dating can help people meet others in their area and find potential dates.

Who uses online dating services?

Anyone who is eighteen years old or older can use a dating app or site. Dating platforms are for men, women, and people of all genders and sexual orientations. Single people often use online dating services to find people to date and potentially form long-term relationships with, although some prefer casual dating and are not in search of serious connections.

How does online dating work with a free dating app like Bumble?

To date online, you generally start by signing up for an account. From there, you can create your profile, describing yourself and your story. Some online dating apps might make a match for you, while others allow you to choose matches. Once you have a match, you can message the person. If they respond, you might continue to chat online or set up a phone or video call. From there, you might decide if you’d like to meet in person.

What dating apps are available? Bumble, Tinder, and more

There are numerous dating apps, including Bumble and Tinder. Each has a slightly different focus, depending on what you are looking for.

Dating apps and dating sites: The chance to find a billion matches

Tinder and Bumble are two popular dating apps, along with Hinge, OkCupid, eharmony, and Zoosk. Other dating apps have specialty focuses. These include Grindr, Plenty of Fish, Feeld, HER, Muzz, and Jdate. Many of these apps and sites have free versions, and you may wish to explore multiple apps to discover which is the best fit for you. Using multiple apps or dating sites may increase your chance of finding suitable matches. 

How can online dating create connections?

The process of online dating can help people form social connections. You might find various people to date casually, one special person, or several new friends. In any case, there’s potential for these online connections to enrich your life.

Finding new friends through online dating

Even if you don’t start dating someone romantically, you might form a platonic connection with another person. Apps can connect you with individuals all around the world who can broaden your perspective and boost your social health. In some cases, you might go on a date with a match from a dating app, and it may develop into a friendship rather than a romantic connection.

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How can online dating affect self-esteem?

In some cases, online dating can promote self-esteem. In others, self-esteem may be negatively impacted by dating app usage.

Positive effects on self-esteem

Online dating can be positive for an individual’s self-esteem in some cases. It typically offers a controlled environment in which someone can gradually engage with others. This can ease anxiety, potentially supporting self-esteem. Receiving interest from potential dates can also boost self-esteem, although it’s ideal for a person’s self-esteem not to be reliant on validation from others.

Negative effects on self-esteem

Online dating can also negatively affect self-esteem, particularly when someone experiences constant rejection from potential dates. Self-esteem can also be harmed when there are endless people to match with, but none of them seems “right.” The process of swiping through profiles and messaging potential dates without success can be dispiriting.

How can online dating affect mental health?

As with self-esteem, online dating can have positive and negative effects on mental health. These effects vary from person to person, as everyone tends to have a different experience with dating apps.

Positive effects of online dating on mental health

There can be several positive mental health effects of online dating. Validation from others can increase self-esteem, and making new personal connections can boost well-being. It can also be empowering to take control of your dating life.

Negative effects of online dating on mental health

Online dating can negatively affect mental health. Those who don’t make connections with people they are interested in may experience symptoms of depression and anxiety, such as hopelessness and worry about never finding the “right person.” 

Dating apps can also affect self-esteem because of rejection and social comparison. Constantly searching and messaging can lead to emotional burnout as well. Furthermore, the dopamine released while using a dating app can lead to app addiction in some cases, which can have a negative impact on overall mental health.

Is there a free dating app?

While some dating apps cost money, others offer tiered usage, in which the first tier is free but may not offer access to all features. Among apps with a free option are Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, OkCupid, and Grindr.

Is there a dating app with a billion matches to date? Tinder statistics

Some dating apps have been highly successful in connecting people. Tinder, for example, has reportedly made well over a billion matches. However, it may be important to note that Tinder primarily focuses on casual dating and hookups rather than long-term, committed romantic relationships.

What is a dating app meet date?

Once people have connected via a dating app and messaged back and forth, they may decide to schedule a meet date. This can be described as a face-to-face meeting where they can determine whether there is attraction or a connection and decide if they’d like to continue dating.

How to stay safe on a dating app meet date

When meeting someone you’ve met online, it can be safest to meet in a public setting and to travel to the date on your own, rather than allowing the individual you’re dating to pick you up. It may also be wise to let friends and family members know about your plans ahead of time.

Is it helpful to attend therapy for challenges with dating?

If you have any concerns related to dating, therapy can help. Working with a qualified therapist can help you get to the root of any attachment concerns or insecurities. Therapy may also boost your self-esteem and teach you to engage in more constructive thought and behavior patterns related to the dating process. 

Online therapy for dating difficulties 

Online therapy can be a convenient way to seek mental health support from a licensed provider. It’s possible to attend sessions with or without a partner, and users can choose between video and audio options for each appointment.

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Is online therapy effective?

There’s currently no research on the efficacy of online therapy specifically for online dating challenges. However, a large and growing body of evidence suggests that online therapy produces the same client outcomes as traditional, face-to-face care. Online therapists typically use the same evidence-based modalities to help clients as in-person therapists, potentially helping individuals with both mental health concerns and relationship difficulties.

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Takeaway

Online dating has become increasingly popular, with many people making matches on a variety of apps geared toward different dating needs and preferences. Dating apps can have both positive and negative effects on mental health, depending on an individual’s specific situation. Anyone struggling with mental health concerns related to dating may benefit from connecting with an online or in-person therapist who can provide professional support and guidance.

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