But the news has also brought attention to an ongoing debate: Are these products truly addictive? And is unhealthy user behavior more the fault of dating apps or the challenge of building healthy technology habits in an increasingly digital world?
The possibility that the perfect match is just one swipe away can be irresistible. Though the exact mechanisms at play are unclear, he speculates that a dopamine-like reward pathway may be involved.
Part of the problem is that much remains unknown about the world of online dating. Match Group declined to comment on how they determine compatibility.
In a company post, Hinge says they use the Gale-Shapley algorithm to pick pairs most likely to match. Match Group denies the allegation that their apps are designed to promote and profit off of engagement rather than connection. Fisher, the longtime chief scientific adviser for Match. As social media platforms go, Stanford sociology professor Michael Rosenfeld sees dating apps as relatively useful and true to their intended goal.
Scientists have observed people exhibiting unhealthy behaviors on dating apps—much like those seen on other social media platforms. Whether this behavior constitutes a true addiction, however, is a matter of debate. Still, she says, some of the hallmarks of addiction are present—like compulsively checking dating apps and even experiencing withdrawal.
