A surge in dating app use among younger generations is taking a significant mental and emotional toll, with psychologists warning of a growing epidemic called “dating burnout.” According to a 2024 Forbes Health/OnePoll survey, almost 80% of Gen Z and Millennials report feeling exhausted by the experience — a figure echoed by global and local research into the widespread effects of digital dating fatigue. For Thailand’s young urbanites, increasingly turning to apps to expand their social circles or seek relationships, the findings raise crucial questions about the impact of online matchmaking on wellbeing and how to approach romantic connections in the digital era Forbes.
The modern search for love is often portrayed as exciting and full of possibility, yet both international studies and anecdotal evidence from Bangkok’s dating scene reveal a more sobering reality. Last year, a longitudinal study published in New Media & Society tracked nearly 500 dating app users over 12 weeks, uncovering a rise in emotional exhaustion and self-doubt the longer individuals stayed active on such platforms. Those struggling with depression, anxiety, or loneliness were particularly vulnerable, often finding themselves caught in a compulsive cycle of swiping and messaging that, rather than yielding connection, deepened feelings of isolation and futility.
Central to the phenomenon of dating burnout are four clear warning signs identified by psychological research: emotional numbness or cynicism even during positive interactions; compulsive app use accompanied by a growing sense of hopelessness; heightened sensitivity to rejection, translating into a belief in one’s own inadequacy; and a disturbing realization that the process may be eroding one’s authenticity and self-regard. These experiences suggest that for many, dating apps have shifted from tools of empowerment to sources of stress — a change with significant implications for the mental health of Thailand’s increasingly online generation.
Take the first sign: emotional numbness or cynicism, even on so-called “good dates.” A qualitative study published in SN Social Sciences in January described how repeated, low-investment interactions on apps lead users to feel depleted and disengaged. As one female participant poignantly shared, “I go on dates, but when I am honest, I am tired before getting there, tired of telling the same stories and hearing the same stories.” Others echoed this sense of going through the motions — seeking fun or connection, but instead feeling emptiness and disconnection. This pattern of emotional withdrawal is not always immediately obvious to those affected; for many, the awareness comes only mid-conversation, accompanied by an inward wish for the date to end sooner.
The second sign, compulsive swiping against one’s better judgment, captures the addictive pattern many young Thais recognize from their own experiences. App users described deleting or pausing their accounts, only to return days later, caught in a loop that feels increasingly pointless. One 32-year-old male participant quoted in the research explained: “All the swiping, payments, unmatching and writing the same repeatedly, it depresses me.” For others, weekends spent chatting yielded “zero value,” with the routine becoming a source of fatigue rather than hope.
Emotional regulation, a vital part of healthy dating, is the third casualty of burnout. A 2025 systematic review in Computers in Human Behavior found that dating app use correlates strongly with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and lower self-esteem. For nearly half of users tracked, constant exposure to being “left on read,” slow replies, ghosting, and overt rejection led to spirals of self-doubt. Apps quantify popularity through likes, matches, and messages, encouraging a fixation on “performance” that can undermine users’ sense of worth — a phenomenon alarmingly evident among those who start equating their identity with their digital “metrics.”
Perhaps most concerning is the final sign: noticing a gap between one’s authentic self and the persona performed during dating. Participants in recent psychological studies reported bending their personalities, tolerating unwanted behavior, or even agreeing to intimacy contrary to their genuine desires — all to fit shifting expectations within the app environment. Researchers in the January 2025 study observed, “Many do regret these interactions, yet often proceed — either by agreeing to dates against interest and intuition, staying in uncomfortable settings, or engaging in intimacy contrary to their own desires.” The cumulative effect is a gradual erosion of self, where dating becomes less about connection and more about avoiding loneliness, harming self-esteem along the way.
For Thai readers, these findings resonate within the context of rapidly changing social dynamics. Bangkok and other urban centers have witnessed a boom in dating app usage, particularly among professionals and university educated youth. While apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Tantan are often viewed as modern gateways to romance, the psychological costs illuminated by new research demand attention. As one mental health expert at a leading Bangkok hospital notes, “We see more young adults reporting anxiety, distress, and social withdrawal tied to their experiences with online dating. It is becoming a public health concern, not just a private one.”
Historically, Thai courtship has emphasized family introductions or meeting through trusted networks, with face-to-face interaction central to the process. The pandemic accelerated a shift towards digital connection, but the convenience of apps can obscure the emotional labor required to repeatedly present oneself, cope with rejection, and maintain hope. With social pressure to find a partner still strong in Thai society — especially for women and LGBTQ individuals facing additional constraints — dating burnout is often hidden under a cultural expectation to appear “happy” and adaptable.
Looking ahead, the implications of dating burnout extend beyond the individual. Psychologists warn that unchecked fatigue may increase rates of social withdrawal, reduced trust in relationships, even exacerbate Thailand’s worrying trend of declining marriage and birth rates reported by the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council Bangkok Post. As dating apps grow more sophisticated, employing AI-driven recommendations and hyper-personalized algorithms, mental health professionals urge caution: “Technology can facilitate introductions, but it cannot substitute for human connection. Without self-care and boundaries, the promise of digital romance can quickly become a source of psychological harm,” notes one prominent psychologist specializing in young adult wellbeing in Thailand.
Researchers and clinicians recommend several practical steps to combat dating burnout, grounded in both global evidence and Thai cultural realities. Firstly, taking a deliberate break from apps can help re-establish balance and restore emotional energy. Setting clear boundaries around usage — such as only swiping at certain times, limiting the number of conversations, or scheduling “offline” days — transforms dating into a manageable activity rather than an endless obligation. Secondly, reclaiming time for rejuvenating activities, from sports to temple visits or creative pursuits, reconnects individuals with sources of self-worth outside dating. For many Thais, joining group classes, volunteering, or spending time in nature can provide the kind of organic encounters missing from algorithm-driven platforms.
Equally important is the creation of supportive communities where struggles with dating burnout can be discussed openly. In Thailand’s collectivist social fabric, peer groups, colleagues, or even university well-being departments are increasingly providing safe spaces for these conversations. Sharing experiences not only normalizes the emotional challenges of digital dating, but can also help individuals identify unhealthy patterns and celebrate each other’s boundaries.
From a policy perspective, experts emphasize the need for better digital literacy education emphasizing healthy use of social media and dating apps, starting from secondary school onwards. Integrating mental health support into dating platforms — such as in-app reminders to take breaks, links to resources, or clear privacy controls — could also help users make informed choices and guard their emotional wellbeing.
For Thai readers navigating the ups and downs of romance in 2025, the research offers a clear message: notice the signs. If emotional exhaustion, cynicism, or loss of self resonate with your experience, remember that stepping back is not giving up — it is a form of self-care. Use this pause to nurture other aspects of your life, reconnect with friends and family, and pursue community activities that bring you joy. When you choose to re-enter the dating world, do so mindfully, valuing genuine connection over superficial matches.
For those feeling overwhelmed, seeking support from mental health professionals — available at both public and private hospitals, as well as community networks like the Thai Depression Hotline — can provide vital perspective. As the world of romance evolves, Thailand’s cultural values of empathy, mutual respect, and sabai sabai (the importance of comfort and relaxation) offer a timeless blueprint for restoring balance.
Ultimately, dating should enrich, not deplete. Protect your emotional health as fiercely as you might protect your passwords — and remember, true connection begins with caring for yourself first.