Ambivalence in networked intimacy: Observations from gay men using mobile dating apps

Abstract

The increasing popularity of mobile dating apps in the past decade has transformed the ways in which gay men network with each other. Based on sociology and media studies literature, I contextualize this contemporary form of intimacy, which is known as networked intimacy, in relation to networked individualism and neoliberalism. Using a mixed-methods design with interviews ( N = 7) and a survey ( N = 245), this study explored how gay men experience intimacy on these platforms. Users reported ambivalence in establishing relationships, which is brought forth by the ambiguity of relationships, dominance of profiles, and over-abundance of connections on these apps. I conclude that these aspects of ambivalence are not at all exclusive to the private domain of gay men but are tightly intertwined with the neoliberal market and consumption practices.

Dating Apps and Their Sociodemographic and Psychosocial Correlates: A Systematic Review

“…This can lead to more insecure contacts, especially among women, and fears related to the ease of localization and the inclusion of personal data in apps [ 39 ]. Some authors highlight the paradox that many users suffer: they have more chances of contact than ever before, but at the same time this makes them more vulnerable [ 26 , 80 ].…”

Sexuality and digital Space

“…One branch of the literature on attracting and selecting intimate partners focuses on people's self‐presentational strategies to attract potential sexual and romantic partners (Blackwell, Birnholtz, & Abbott, 2015; Ellison, Heino, & Gibbs, 2006; Hobbs, Owen, & Gerber, 2017). The second branch of this literature analyzes how the technological affordances of digital dating platforms structure online intimacies, including dating websites and mobile dating applications (Chan, 2018; Davis, Hart, Bolding, Sherr, & Elford, 2006; Lynch, 2010; Race, 2015; Robinson & Moskowitz, 2013).…”

Looking for “interesting people”: Chinese gay men’s exploration of relationship development on dating apps

“…This frame may lose its explanatory power when it comes to a broader landscape of gay men's dating app use. Users who look for casual sex can be open to romance, and vice versa (Chan, 2018;Yeo & Fung, 2018). Many tend to be flexible regarding their goals, which are often negotiated over time through interaction (Fitzpatrick & Birnholtz, 2016).…”

“…Notwithstanding the various and often entangled motives users have (Timmermans & De Caluwé, 2017; Ward, 2017), dating apps are constantly referred to as “hook-up apps” by researchers, especially in gay dating app studies (Albury & Byron, 2016; Davis, Flowers, Lorimer, Oakland, & Frankis, 2016; MacKee, 2016; Race, 2015a). Affordances of dating apps seem to be manifest in the facilitation of casual sex (Licoppe, Rivière, & Morel, 2015; MacKee, 2016) rather than “serious” relationships (Chan, 2018; Yeo & Fung, 2018). Given the mixed motivations reported by users, combined with a tendency of researchers and the media to promote a primarily casual sex script, dating app studies could benefit from a broader perspective on how and why people use dating apps.…”