How has Covid-19 pandemic unearthed hidden social affordances on Tinder: A virtual ethnography on dating in Turkey

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

In this study, we explore changing social relations and dynamics during pandemic, particularly in online dating via one of the most popular dating apps, Tinder. Conducting a virtual ethnography on Tinder over a 2 month period, we determine four main changes in the context of online dating: changes in the community, changes in the conversations, changes in the context of video call, and changes in the perception of online dating. Embracing the notion of social affordances, we further discuss how these changes have initiated new forms of social interaction in the Tinder community, making members realise the hidden social affordances of the app. Considering these shifts in the context of online dating, we discuss how any narrow definition of dating, and more broadly socialising online, may adversely impact users’ online social experiences. Hence, we offer design implications that provide allowing variety in online (dating) communities, and merging offline and online.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of DRS
PublisherDesign Research Society
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of DRS
Volume2022
ISSN (Electronic)2398-3132

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, Design Research Society. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • online dating
  • online social life
  • social affordances
  • virtual ethnography

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