New research challenges assumptions about dating apps, self-esteem and what really drives Tinder use among young adults.
University Of Liverpool Research Reveals What Really Motivates Young Adults On Tinder
Researcher Pantxika Morlat reveals why Tinder doesn’t harm self-esteem as much as we think.
By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated:
With dating apps now woven into the romantic lives of millions of young adults, concerns about their psychological impact have intensified. Tinder, in particular, is frequently accused of fueling hookup culture, eroding self-esteem and exposing users (especially women) to heightened risks of sexual harm. Yet empirical findings on how dating apps shape users’ confidence and motivations remain mixed.
A new study published in Frontiers in Psychology examined how Tinder use relates to sexual desire, self-esteem and dating motivations among young adults aged 18 to 30. Drawing on survey data from 305 participants, the researchers found that heavier Tinder use was associated with stronger sexual desire, but, surprisingly, not with lower self-esteem.
I recently spoke with lead author Pantxika Morlat — a doctoral student and research assistant in the Department of Psychology at the University of Liverpool — about what inspired the research, why self-esteem may be more resilient than previously thought and how sexual desire both drives engagement and introduces new risks in digital dating spaces. Here’s a summary of our conversation.
There’s been a lot of public debate about whether dating apps harm or help users’ confidence. What inspired you to revisit that question scientifically?
Our interest in researching online dating was piqued by the National Crime Agency’s United Kingdom 2022 report, which highlighted a concerning rise in sexual violence cases linked to dating websites and apps, with young adults and females being disproportionately affected.
This prompted us to examine how dating apps are used by younger populations and whether factors like gender, self-esteem and sexual motivations shape user experiences. We focused our study on Tinder because it is one of the most widely used dating apps globally, especially among young people.
One of your most striking findings was that higher Tinder use was associated with higher sexual desire, but not with lower self-esteem. Why do you think that pattern emerged?
Self-esteem is a complex and multifaceted psychological construct, which makes it challenging to measure consistently.
One possible explanation for the lack of a significant correlation is that many users may possess resilient traits that buffer against the potential negative effects of app use. Individual variances, psychological characteristics and contextual circumstances may also influence this finding.
While we observed variation in self-esteem scores across users, our data did not reveal a statistically significant relationship with Tinder use, even at higher levels of engagement. It is possible that any negative impact on self-esteem only emerges with extremely intense or problematic use, which was not prevalent in our sample.
These findings suggest that future longitudinal research should explore this link with more granular measures of self-esteem and app engagement.
Many earlier studies have linked dating app use to lower self-esteem. What do your findings suggest about why that association might not always hold up?
While some prior studies have reported associations between dating app use and lower self-esteem, these findings have often been weak or based on comparisons between users and non-users, rather than examining nuances within user groups.
Our study suggests that such associations may be contingent on several factors, including gender, age and usage patterns. Specifically, our sample consisted of Tinder users aged 18 to 30, a demographic likely to possess higher digital literacy and greater resilience in navigating online environments.
For these younger users, self-esteem may not necessarily decline, particularly when online profile curation strategies are employed to enhance attractiveness and increase match rates. This suggests a more complex relationship between dating app use and self-perception, shaped by adaptive behaviors and contextual variables.
You found that men more often seek casual sex and women more often look for relationships on Tinder. How do you interpret that in the context of shifting norms around online dating?
While Tinder is often associated with “hookup culture” and entertainment-driven motivations, our findings reveal more complex patterns among young users.
Gendered differences in dating motivations may reflect enduring social expectations around emotional investment and sexual behaviour, even as norms evolve. For example, some women may feel increasingly empowered to express their sexuality, yet still internalise cultural scripts that prioritise relational commitment.
Additionally, prior experiences of mismatch or disappointment may shape users’ expectations and intentions. These dynamics suggest that online platforms like Tinder are not merely amplifying casual encounters but also serving as spaces where users hope to find serious relationships.
Were there any surprising patterns or nuances that stood out to you during the analysis?
One notable pattern was the consistent increase in sexual desire scores with higher levels of weekly Tinder use. Specifically, each category increase in usage (from low to medium to high) corresponded to a 13-point rise in sexual desire. This suggests that sexual desire may be a key driver of sustained engagement with the app among young adults.
However, this motivation also carries potential risks. Heightened sexual desire can be accompanied by unwanted sexual comments, unsolicited images and other forms of sexual aggression. Acknowledging this complex duality is important both for users trying to navigate the app and for developers and educators striving to promote safer online environments.
Would you expect to find similar results on other dating platforms, such as Bumble or Hinge, where the culture is slightly different?
Our findings may not be directly generalizable to other dating platforms, as each app cultivates its own user culture through marketing strategies and design features.
For instance, prior research suggests that casual-sex motivations are less prevalent among Bumble users, while Hinge users may experience greater challenges with communication ease.
These differences highlight the importance of examining platform-specific dynamics when studying dating motivations and behaviors. To capture the varied realities of online dating, it’s important to closely examine what each app enables and what users anticipate from it.
What do you hope readers or users take away from your study about the psychology of Tinder use in modern dating?
Our study identified a lesser-known psychological dimension of dating app use: increased sexual desire is positively associated with higher levels of Tinder engagement. While this may reflect a central motivation for some users, it is important to recognize that not all Tinder use is driven by sexual intent, as users bring diverse goals and expectations.
However, heightened sexual desire can also correlate with risks, including exposure to unwanted sexual comments, unsolicited images and other forms of sexual aggression. This brings attention to the need for digital awareness and respectful interaction.
Given the rise in sexual violence linked to online dating platforms since 2019, with a significant proportion of victims being female and incidents often occurring in private settings, our findings aim to equip users with a deeper understanding of the psychological and social dynamics at play.
Ultimately, we hope this research supports safer, more informed decision-making in digital dating environments.
Lastly, how would you advise dating app developers to encourage user safety?
Promoting user safety on dating apps requires interdisciplinary collaboration with psychologists and social scientists. Our findings highlight the importance of designing apps that anticipate and mitigate risks, particularly in contexts where relational expectations and sexual desire may diverge.
We recommend that developers implement preventive measures, such as clarifying user intentions, promoting informed consent and embedding mental health support features into the app experience.
These strategies would not only enhance user education but also contribute to safer digital environments. Aligning app design with psychological insight and ethical safeguards allows developers to build more trustworthy apps that better support users’ well-being.
Do you use dating apps like Tinder for the right reasons? Take this research-informed test to find out: Problematic Tinder Use Scale