Mobile dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and others have revolutionized how people initiate romantic or sexual connections, but experts now warn that these platforms are leaving a deeper emotional mark than many realize. According to the latest research and reporting, emotionally damaging behaviors like ghosting, breadcrumbing, and even the fabrication of personal information are increasingly prevalent online, causing growing psychological fatigue among users who seek genuine connections but find themselves navigating a minefield of manipulation and disappointment (El País).
For Thai readers who have seen the dramatic rise in the use of dating apps—especially in Bangkok and Thailand’s urban centres—the findings shine an important light on how digital courtship is reshaping not just relationships but personal well-being. Where traditional matchmaking often relied on trusted networks of family, friends, and shared social contexts, the digital world opens a world of possibilities but also brings unprecedented challenges. The language of love itself is changing: terms like “ghosting” (when someone suddenly cuts off communication and disappears), “breadcrumbing” (offering minimal, sporadic attention to maintain interest without true commitment), and “zombieing” (reappearing after a period of absence as if nothing happened) are now part of everyday discussion and are surfacing more in Thai online communities as well.
Recent international research cited in the report shows that these behaviors are not just digital quirks but have measurable effects on mental health. Breadcrumbing, for instance, is linked with increased loneliness and life dissatisfaction, casting a shadow over future attempts at building relationships. Ghosting can significantly damage self-esteem, with sufferers left confused, anxious, and often questioning their self-worth. Notably, about 7% of information shared on dating apps is thought to be false—many users admit to embellishing details about age, occupation, and lifestyle to appear more attractive to potential matches. This trend contributes to a growing atmosphere of distrust, feeding a cycle of cynicism that makes it even harder to form genuine bonds (Forbes Survey).
Online platforms have certainly made connecting easier and more immediate, removing many of the practical and cultural barriers that once complicated dating. However, as one director of the Ibero-American Institute of Sexology notes, there is now a palpable sense of exhaustion among frequent users, who grow weary of “the vortex of meeting people every week, having to have sex on the first date, and everyone else going for the same thing.” This fatigue is echoed in Thai society, where traditional courtship rituals and expectations are sometimes viewed as cumbersome but also as a source of stability and safety. The absence of these cultural buffers in the online world can leave users feeling exposed and emotionally fragile.
Sexologists and psychologists agree that structural features of dating apps—the illusion of endless choice, the rapid pace of interactions, and the gamification of romance—fuel superficiality and what one expert calls “a certain cruelty.” The sheer abundance of options paradoxically leads many users to invest less effort in any single connection, reinforcing a culture of disposability. This mirrors recent trends in Thailand’s digital dating environment, where many social observers warn of increasing isolation and a decline in long-term relationships among youth, especially in metropolitan areas.
Research from Europe and the United States cited in the report puts numbers to these experiences. In one Spanish survey, 20% of respondents admitted to having engaged in or experienced ghosting, while nearly a third reported involvement in breadcrumbing in the past year. Rates may be even higher in the LGBTQ+ community, reflecting unique challenges faced when looking for partners online. US figures suggest that up to one in five users has experienced ghosting, with 10–30% admitting to being the ghost themselves. Thai digital communities have begun discussing these issues more openly, with online forums, TikTok, and Twitter full of testimonies about heartbreak and frustration tied to the “new normal” of digital matchmaking.
The motivations behind ghosting and breadcrumbing are nuanced. Women, for example, sometimes ghost more often if a digital interaction becomes aggressive or uncomfortable, as a means of self-protection. Others might ghost as a misguided way to “spare” their counterpart’s feelings or to avoid confrontation. Breadcrumbing, on the other hand, is increasingly understood as a form of emotional manipulation. According to social psychologists, it is sometimes tied to narcissism or insecure attachment styles, where the desire for attention outweighs the willingness or capacity to form authentic bonds. The result for the recipient, as one expert stressed, is often addictive anxiety: “giving you crumbs so you don’t lose interest, but that ends up creating a lot of uncertainty and anxiety—it’s very distressing.”
What is driving these trends? Experts point to the mechanics of the apps themselves. With endless profiles to swipe through, users treat romantic exploration more like a casual game than a pathway to real connection. One clinical psychologist described the process as a relentless “filtering,” with little awareness of the time and emotional energy required to sustain each new match. Many simply drop conversations without explanation, not out of cruelty, but due to a lack of investment or time. The result is a “rain of micro-disappointments” that slowly chip away at self-confidence and increase loneliness—a trend that is echoed by anecdotal accounts from Thai app users in bustling cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
As the digital mechanics perpetuate attention frenzies, newly emerging AI chatbot “love assistants” now further muddy the waters by generating curated, optimized conversation starters—making it even harder to discern sincerity from performance. For Thai singles who must now navigate not only cultural changes but also the rise of digital “fakery,” the risks of burnout and emotional depletion are heightened. A sense of cynicism takes root, as users suspect dishonesty in others and struggle with their own emotional responses to repeated rejection or indifference.
Despite a recent decline in paying subscribers and parent company stock values for some platforms in Europe and the US, experts predict dating apps will continue to play a central role in modern romance simply because alternatives are hard to come by. For busy professionals in Thailand’s urban centres, mobile platforms fulfill an urgent need for accessible connection, even if it means accepting a certain degree of emotional risk.
The presence of these apps is also fueling a subtle cultural shift in Thailand. While traditional matchmaking through family and social circles remains highly valued—particularly outside major cities—more Thais are now using online dating to bypass conservative social conventions and find partners beyond their immediate networks. As the terminology of “ghosting,” “breadcrumbing,” and “zombieing” enters mainstream conversation, Thai parents, educators, and health professionals must adapt to an era where emotional literacy and digital etiquette are increasingly vital skills for young people.
Looking to the future, there are several possible responses to the mental health impacts of digital dating. Public health campaigns might focus on building awareness around healthy online behaviors, encouraging open communication and emotional honesty, and advocating for digital literacy as part of school curricula. App developers themselves could consider introducing features that discourage harmful behaviors, such as automated reminders to end conversations thoughtfully or resources for reporting and responding to abusive conduct. Locally, community organizations and mental health professionals could offer support groups or counseling for those struggling with the emotional fallout of online heartbreak.
For Thai readers navigating this brave new world of digital romance, the key takeaway is both cautionary and empowering. Being aware of the patterns and pitfalls of online dating can help individuals set healthier boundaries and expectations for themselves and others. Talk openly about your feelings and experiences, both online and offline; seek support from friends, family, or professionals when needed; and remember that, while digital technology has transformed the search for love, true emotional connection still relies on the classics—honesty, empathy, and self-respect.
For those setting out to try (or continue) app-based dating in Thailand, focus on authenticity and communication, and remember to take regular breaks from the digital scene to reconnect with yourself and your community. By protecting your own mental health and staying attuned to the well-being of others, you can navigate the highs and lows of online love with more confidence and resilience.
Sources: El País | Forbes Survey as cited in El País