The 'increases depression' bit is only linked to online dating because a Match.com survey revealed that people found online dating 'addicting'. And according to

The 'increases depression' bit is only linked to online dating because a Match.com survey revealed that people found online dating 'addicting'. And according to studies, people with addictive behavior have greater rates of anxiety and depression. So, because it's addictive, therefore it increases depression. That's a ridiculously weak link (even if true) and practically non-news. They might as well have just immediately followed with 'Gambling leads to increased depression', 'Binge eating leads to increased depression', 'Video games leads to increased depression', 'Facebooking leads to increased depression' (oh wait, they love this one and do it almost monthly), 'Internet use in general leads to increased depression', or the totally-undesired-by-everyone 'Passionate sex leads to increased depression'. Worthless article. Only written to poorly justify a clickbait headline.