An Examination of Location-Based Real-Time Dating Application Infrastructure, Profile Features, and Cybervictimization

Abstract

The use of location-based real-time dating applications (LBRTDAs) has become commonplace among college-aged persons. With an increase in their use, these applications may serve as vectors for experiencing cybervictimization. Limited research has examined the implications that application usage has on individual experiences with cybervictimization, particularly cyberstalking, cyberharassment, image-based abuse, and identity deception. Using a sample of college students ( N = 324; 73% female), and concentrating primarily on Tinder users, this study examines the correlates of experiencing these forms of cybervictimization, concentrating on the influence that application infrastructure and profile features (e.g., Global Positioning System [GPS] functionality) have on the likelihood of cybervictimization. Results indicate inconsistent and largely insignificant effects, suggesting that opting into the use of safety features and protective measures cannot guarantee protection from application-based forms of cybervictimization. As such, policy implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Dating Apps: A New Emerging Platform for Sexual Harassment? A Scoping Review

“…Findings (Centelles et al, 2021) Nearly two-thirds of the sample reported experiencing cyber-harassment. Similarly, 34.57% of respondents reported experiencing image-based abuse (n = 112).…”

“…The prevalence of experiencing sexual harassment via dating apps was addressed in five studies, and findings indicated that being sexually harassed when using dating apps is fairly common. Studies indicated that at least one in three dating app users experienced image-based harassment and verbal sexual messages when using the dating app (Centelles et al, 2021;Lauckner et al, 2019), with numbers ranging from 57% (Douglass et al, 2018) to 88.8% of users reporting at least one instance of sexual harassment (e.g., image-based harassment, verbal sexual messages, unwarranted hate, comments about gender identity, or sexual orientation) via dating apps (Echevarria, 2021). Qu et al (2021) compared the prevalence of different types of sexual harassment (e.g., image-based harassment, verbal sexual messages) between the United States and China and found that the prevalence of sexual harassment via dating apps was higher among American (Rowse et al, 2020).…”

“…Considering the high exposure of sexual images may overlap with undisclosed sexual orientation or gender identity, this aspect can be intensified and the fear of being "outed" can add additional stress to the Different factors were found in the reviewed studies to be associated with being sexually harassed on dating apps. The shared intention of hooking up and shared place of employment were positively associated with experiencing sexual harassment on dating apps in the form of image-based harassment (Centelles et al, 2021). Perhaps the shared intention of hooking up and the shared working place are mistakenly understood to be part and parcel of the process of consent.…”