Psychological Perspectives on Dating Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Dating applications have become a cornerstone of modern romantic interactions, offering a platform for millions to seek companionship, love and social connections. These apps leverage complex algorithms and user data to facilitate matches, impacting user behavior and psychological states in various ways. The rise of such platforms has prompted a significant shift in social norms, communication patterns and relationship formation processes.

However, the psychological implications of these applications remain a subject of extensive debate and inquiry. Concerns range from the impact on mental health, self-esteem and loneliness, to the way they shape interpersonal relationships and societal norms. Moreover, the use of dating apps by adolescents, a group particularly susceptible to social and emotional influences, raises critical questions about development, identity formation and the potential risks associated with online interactions.

This Special Issue seeks to explore these dimensions, including but not limited to:

• Adolescent use of dating applications and its impact on development, self-esteem and social behavior;
• Differences in dating app use and experiences among various age groups;
• Analysis of user behavior and psychological patterns on dating platforms;
• Ethical, privacy and safety considerations in online dating, especially among younger users.

We welcome contributions from diverse fields within psychology and related disciplines, offering insights into the complex interplay between digital dating platforms and psychological processes. This Special Issue is an opportunity to shed light on the nuanced and evolving landscape of romantic and social interactions in the digital era.

Dr. Luca Cerniglia
Guest Editor

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• adolescent development
• online dating behavior
• mental health impacts
• interpersonal relationships
• digital ethics and safety