One of the main components of online dating is being active on social networks, but that doesn’t mean that you need to be using all social media websites. In fact, researchers are now saying that Facebook not only does little to stimulate your offline social life, but it can actually lower your desire to date.

The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt in Maryland has recently conducted new research showing that Facebook is one of the major contributing factors in the increasing self confidence issues younger Americans are feeling.

The Center surveyed 600 Facebook users between 16 and 40 years old people who said they generally had a little to no body image problems, and over half of all people surveyed said Facebook made them feel worse about their bodies, their weight, and their appearance in general.

It was found that although women were more likely to express their desire to lose weight after comparing themselves to their Facebook friends, but surprisingly men are the ones more effected by it. According to researchers, the women surveyed were only negatively effected by images of people more fit than themselves for less than 15 minutes after seeing them, but men were said to think about the images of their friends for nearly an entire 24-hours.

“People are now constantly aware of their appearance, thanks to Facebook. A common reaction is, ‘I need to be thinner’ And it’s that kind of thinking that can lead to hazardous dieting. Facebook is an influential factor in developing severe eating disorders,” said the associate director of the center.

So what does this have to do with your dating life? According to experts, more than you’d think!

It was found that the people who were most effected by seeing images of people they considered better looking than themselves on Facebook dated less than people who were less effected by their Facebook friends.

Phycologists involved with the study say that people with lower self confidence online are more likely to connect with people on dating sites to obtain a confidence boost, but are less likely to take their online ventures offline. In fact, those whose confidence is effected by the social networking site go on nearly one eighth of the amount of dates the average American has.

So what do experts say is the quick-fix to your plunging self-confidence? Easy: Get off Facebook! The researchers of the study found that the connection between a users self confidence returning to normal and them deactivating their Facebook accounts are synonymous.

Instead of having Facebook ruin your confidence and using dating sites to heighten it again, quit Facebook altogether! It will give you more time to find a date online that you’ll actually want to go on.