Swipe right to consent: How dating app usage by young adults contributes to sexual objectification and sexual consent miscommunication

IF 9 1区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, EXPERIMENTAL

Computers in Human Behavior Pub Date : 2025-02-21 DOI:10.1016/j.chb.2025.108621

Andrea M. Smith , Adriana S. Mucedola , Katelyn La , Rebecca R. Ortiz , Yu Tian

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Although mobile dating applications (apps) are one of the most common ways for young adults in the United States to meet potential dating partners, online dating platforms have been inadequately examined in relation to young adults' offline sexual health practices. Grounded in objectification theory, this study explored how young adults' use of dating apps—and specifically whether their sexualized perceptions of and interactions with others—related to their ability to discuss sexual consent with sexual partners they met on those apps. We conducted an online survey of a national sample (N = 1045) of young adults in the U.S. on this topic. Results revealed that the more frequently participants used dating apps, the more they engaged in the sexual objectification of others on dating apps. Participants who were prone to sexually objectifying others on dating apps were also more likely to endorse ‘digital consent cues’ (the assumption that matching or exchanging DMs implies consent to sex) and reported greater difficulty discussing sexual consent with partners they met through such apps. The study yields insights into how dating apps and their technological affordances may alter or dimmish offline conversations about consent, making theoretical contributions and proposing solutions to foster the development of healthy and equitable sexual relationships.

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向右滑动表示同意：年轻人使用约会应用程序如何导致性物化和性同意误解

尽管移动约会应用程序（app）是美国年轻人与潜在约会对象见面的最常见方式之一，但在线约会平台与年轻人线下性健康实践的关系尚未得到充分研究。在物化理论的基础上，这项研究探讨了年轻人对约会软件的使用——特别是他们对他人的性感知和互动——与他们在这些软件上遇到的性伴侣讨论性同意的能力之间的关系。我们对美国全国范围内的年轻人（N = 1045）进行了一项关于这个话题的在线调查。结果显示，参与者使用约会软件的频率越高，他们在约会软件上对他人的性物化程度就越高。那些倾向于在约会软件上物化他人的参与者也更有可能支持“数字同意线索”（假设匹配或交换dm意味着同意发生性行为），并报告说，他们更难以与通过这些应用程序认识的伴侣讨论性同意问题。这项研究深入了解了约会应用程序及其技术支持如何改变或削弱关于同意的线下对话，做出了理论贡献，并提出了促进健康、公平性关系发展的解决方案。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Computers in Human Behavior Multiple-

CiteScore

19.10

自引率

4.00%

发文量

381

审稿时长

40 days

期刊介绍： Computers in Human Behavior is a scholarly journal that explores the psychological aspects of computer use. It covers original theoretical works, research reports, literature reviews, and software and book reviews. The journal examines both the use of computers in psychology, psychiatry, and related fields, and the psychological impact of computer use on individuals, groups, and society. Articles discuss topics such as professional practice, training, research, human development, learning, cognition, personality, and social interactions. It focuses on human interactions with computers, considering the computer as a medium through which human behaviors are shaped and expressed. Professionals interested in the psychological aspects of computer use will find this journal valuable, even with limited knowledge of computers.