{
  "id": 14689059,
  "title": "Looking for relief from dating app anxiety? Try a variety of platforms",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/looking-for-relief-from-dating-app-anxiety-try-a-variety-of-platforms",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-15T11:40:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-10-relief-dating-app-anxiety-variety.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent Flinders University study, published in Psychology & Sexuality, suggests that gay men who use a variety of dating apps, such as mainstream platforms like Tinder or Hinge alongside gay-specific apps like Grindr, may experience lower levels of anxiety compared to those who use a single type of app. Lead researcher Zac Bowman, a Ph.D. candidate, attributes this finding to the increased likelihood of achieving desired outcomes when using multiple apps. However, the study also highlights the differences between gay and mainstream dating apps, with gay apps often being perceived as spaces for casual sex where appearance is prioritized over meaningful connections. The research, which surveyed 578 Australian men aged 18 to 69, found that sexual minority men who exclusively used one app type, along with heterosexual men who used both gay and mainstream apps, reported significantly higher anxiety levels than those who used different app types. Researchers emphasize the need for app developers to reduce the emphasis on physical appearance and sexual objectification, as well as introduce safeguards for user well-being. They also stress the role of users in promoting a healthier culture within these platforms.",
  "summary": "Using more than one type of app, including both mainstream apps such as Tinder or Hinge and gay apps like Grindr, could lead to lower levels of anxiety among gay men who use mobile dating platforms.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}