Swipe right or swipe left? The correct choice is neither. Popular dating app Tinder does more harm than good when looking at long-term effects on self-esteem and mental health.
The most popular dating app for college students is arguably Tinder. It is an easy way to make friends, connections, and (if you are lucky) maybe even spark a romance. With the feature Tinder U, where a person creates an account using his/her school email address, it has become increasingly easier for college students to meet other classmates. However, people fail to realize the internal effect the app can have on oneself. So, what is the dark side of Tinder?
From my experience and witnessing others’ experiences, I have concluded Tinder gives a false sense of self-confidence. You may get a bundle of matches which gives the feeling of being wanted, excitement and thrill. But what happens when your matches do not message you? Feelings of self-doubt, low self-esteem, and rejection are your answers. Or what about when you hope to match with someone, and it does not happen? Then you question why you were not worth a simple swipe right. Although the adrenaline of being matched with a cutie is fun and can bring happiness, the risk of lowered self-value is not worth it.
Most of the guys that have messaged my friends or I were creeps, players or dudes looking for a hook-up. I have had cases where I refused to send explicit pictures to guys or hook-up with them, so they started calling me “wh*re” or “sl*t.” These men did not even know me, but since I did not do what they wanted, they resorted to nasty comments. Since talking to my friends about it, I discovered they have all shared similar experiences.
If you decided to message someone, the next step is often moving onto Snapchat. Here, it gets even riskier. Sometimes the person you meet is normal and just gets to know you. However, there is also risky business to it. I cannot even count the number of times my friends or I have gotten random, unsolicited pictures from someone we meet off of Tinder. There have been many times where I am just sitting in the Hickey or Café La Verna then I open a Snapchat and BAM! Not only is it embarrassing to get such a picture in public, but it is also gross to see if unwanted.
One of the most notorious effects of Tinder is the possibility of meeting a creep or catfish. When meeting and messaging anyone online, you run the possibility of meeting someone who is not who they say they are. The two people I talked to and met up with in person on Tinder happened to be total weirdos. I also have friends who have been completely catfished after meeting someone on Tinder.
I would be lying if I said I do not use Tinder. Although I do not recommend it, if you have thick skin, confidence in yourself and have thought about trying it out, go for it. However, you have been warned.
Kathy Williams, Staff Writer
williakp18@bonaventure.edu
