Online dating applications and risk of youth victimization: A lifestyle exposure perspective

Abstract

Based on lifestyle exposure theory (LET), this study examined online dating application (ODA) use and victimization experiences among adolescents using large cross-national samples of Finnish, American, Spanish, and South Korean young people between ages 15 and 18. According to logistic regression analyses in two substudies, ODA use was associated with more likely victimization to online harassment, online sexual harassment, and other cybercrimes and sexual victimization by adults and peers. According to mediation analyses, this relationship was mainly accounted for by the fact that ODA users engage in more risky activities in online communication and information sharing. Attention should be paid to the risks ODAs pose to vulnerable groups, such as young people, with insufficient skills to regulate their social relationships online.

Adolescent Use of Dating Applications and the Associations with Online Victimization and Psychological Distress

“…In this study, 15% of adolescents had used online dating apps in the past year, which has been positively associated with online privacy risks, cyberbullying victimization, and online sexual harassment. These findings are consistent with prior studies indicating that online dating exposes youth to various interpersonal risks [5,45]. A developmental stage where adolescents are eager to confirm their self-worth and expand their social connections makes dating apps an appealing platform.…”

A longitudinal study of objective dating app usage and its relation to mental health in adolescents.

“…In our sample, nearly a quarter of adolescents used dating apps at some point across the 6-month period, as indexed by any key input in dating apps from their smartphones. The observed prevalence is higher compared to past research’s 10%–19% (Huang et al, 2023; Kaakinen et al, 2021; Lykens et al, 2019). This could be attributed to our objective approach to quantifying dating app usage, which may reduce recall bias or impression management issues that may lower the prevalence estimates.…”

Predictors of Online Child Sexual Abuse in a U.S. National Sample

“…Consistent with these findings, Williams et al (2013) found that meeting strangers online was associated with adolescent experiences of sexual grooming and a recent multinational study found that online harassment victimization was more often experienced by adolescents who engaged in aggressive behavior online (Kaakinen et al, 2021). The use of online dating sites, whereby individuals meet “strangers” online before meeting them in person, has also been associated with higher rates of online sexual harassment and victimization (Caridade et al, 2019; Castro & Barrada, 2020; Kaakinen et al, 2021). Finally, research has demonstrated that adolescents often experiment with different “identities” on the internet (pretending to have different traits or behaviors) to see how others might react, to overcome shyness, or to facilitate relationships (Valkenburg et al, 2005).…”

“…For example, Ybarra et al (2007) found that interacting online with unknown people, seeking pornography online, and sending rude and insulting messages to others increased the risk of sexual solicitation. Consistent with these findings, Williams et al (2013) found that meeting strangers online was associated with adolescent experiences of sexual grooming and a recent multinational study found that online harassment victimization was more often experienced by adolescents who engaged in aggressive behavior online (Kaakinen et al, 2021). The use of online dating sites, whereby individuals meet "strangers" online before meeting them in person, has also been associated with higher rates of online sexual harassment and victimization (Caridade et al, 2019;Castro & Barrada, 2020;Kaakinen et al, 2021).…”