Scomparire nell’era dell’ipervisibilità: opzioni media-educative per il fenomeno del ghosting

Abstract

Dating apps have significantly transformed the landscape of relationships, presenting new opportunities but challenges, including the growing prevalence of ghosting, a practice of implicit rejection that manifests through the unilateral cessation of online communication. This phenomenon is not limited exclusively to dating platforms but can extend to a wide range of contexts characterized by the expectation of communicative reciprocity. It pushes for an ethical reflection on users’ emotional responsibility, which makes the role of media education relevant. In this study, we examine the role of dating apps in shaping online relational dynamics and promoting the diffusion and normalization of ghosting through a critical perspective inspired by the key concepts of Buckingham’s educational media analysis: Language, Representation, Production, and Audience. Therefore, some multidisciplinary educational strategies are proposed to combat ghosting and promote more respectful online relationships, acting on different levels: technological, user, and community. The importance of ethical design of dating apps and media education that encourages reflective and empathetic participation of users and promotes collaboration on a collective and community level emerges.