USING COMMUNICATION CUE PARAMETER TO MEASURE POTENTIAL INTERACTION RISKS ON TINDER DATING APP
Keywords:
communication etiquette, language measure, language on dating app, online dating, potential moral degradation
Abstract
This study examines communication styles and their moral implications on Tinder within the disruptive online dating landscape, focusing on Indonesian cultural dynamics. The paper aims to identify user communication patterns, motivations, and moral concerns on Tinder, especially risks faced by female users in Indonesia. Using a qualitative approach, the data were gathered through participant observation. Users were classified into three main groups, including generic and casual responders, direct and explicit communicators, and deceptive scammers, in addition to another category of non-responders. Communication often lacked authenticity, focusing on short-term goals. The study found significant moral degradation that leads to potential risks toward safety, particularly for women. It produces an identification graph of language cues that signal user intent, which can be used to enhance digital safety and protect against scams, harassment, and exploitation. Based on the findings, this study recommends the need for heightened awareness, education, and policy improvements for safer online dating. It advocates for increased user vigilance, especially for women, and suggests that identifying linguistic cues could enhance digital safety against scams and harassment.
References
Aini, K. (2024). Conformity in the Comfort of Anonymity: A Study on Derogatory Behavior in Social Media. https://pssh.umsida.ac.id.
Alkhalil, Z., Hewage, C., Nawaf, L., & Khan, I. (2021). Phishing Attacks: A Recent Comprehensive Study and a New Anatomy. In Frontiers in Computer Science (Vol. 3). Frontiers Media S.A. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomp.2021.563060
Ballara, N. B. (2023). The Power of Social Validation: A Literature Review on How Likes, Comments, and Shares Shape User Behavior on Social Media. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 4(7), 3355–3367. https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.4.723.51227
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and Loss (2nd ed.). Basic Books.
Boyd, D. (2014). It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens. Connecticut: Yale University Press. https://doi.org/10.12987/9780300166439
Bramanwidyantari, M., & Helmi, A. F. (2024). Exploring the Motives of Online Dating Application Users. Jurnal Imiah Psikologi, 12, 54–58. https://doi.org/10.30872/psikoborneo.v12i1
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Cacioppo, J. T., Cacioppo, S., Gonzaga, G. C., Ogburn, E. L., & Vanderweele, T. J. (2013). Marital Satisfaction and Break-Ups Differ Across On-line and Off-line Meeting Venues. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 110(25), 10135–10140. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1222447110
Carbone, E., Loewenstein, G., Scopelliti, I., & Vosgerau, J. (2024). He said, she said: Gender differences in the disclosure of positive and negative information. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2023.104525
Castro, Á., & Barrada, J. R. (2020). Dating apps and their sociodemographic and psychosocial correlates: A systematic review. In International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Vol. 17, Issue 18, pp. 1–25). MDPI AG. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186500
Davis, J. L., & Jurgenson, N. (2014). Context Collapse: Theorizing Context Collusions and Collisions. Information Communication and Society, 17(4), 476–485. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2014.888458
Duguay, S. (2017). Dressing up Tinderella: interrogating authenticity claims on the mobile dating app Tinder. Information Communication and Society, 20(3), 351–367. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2016.1168471
Duguay, S., & Ross-Nadié, É. (2019). Hook-Up and Dating Apps. In Communication. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/obo/9780199756841-0240
Dwivedi, Y. K., Ismagilova, E., Hughes, D. L., Carlson, J., Filieri, R., Jacobson, J., Jain, V., Karjaluoto, H., Kefi, H., Krishen, A. S., Kumar, V., Rahman, M. M., Raman, R., Rauschnabel, P. A., Rowley, J., Salo, J., Tran, G. A., & Wang, Y. (2021). Setting the future of digital and social media marketing research: Perspectives and research propositions. International Journal of Information Management, 59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102168
Ellison, N., Heino, R., & Gibbs, J. (2006). Managing impressions online: Self-presentation processes in the online dating environment. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 11(2), 415–441. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2006.00020.x
Finkel, E. J., Eastwick, P. W., Karney, B. R., Reis, H. T., & Sprecher, S. (2012). Online Dating: A Critical Analysis From the Perspective of Psychological Science. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, Supplement, 13(1), 3–66. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100612436522
Freeman, H., & Almond, T. M. (2010). Mapping Young Adults’ Use of Fathers for Attachment Support: Implications on Romantic Relationship Experiences. Early Child Development and Care, 180(1–2), 227–248. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430903415080
Gable, S. L., Gonzaga, G. C., & Strachman, A. (2006). Will You Be There for Me When Things Go Right? Supportive Responses to Positive Event Disclosures. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91(5), 904–917. https://doi.org/10 1037/0022-3514 91 5 904
Gatter, K., & Hodkinson, K. (2016). On the Differences Between TinderTM Versus Online Dating Agencies: Questioning A Myth. An Exploratory Study. Cogent Psychology, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2016.1162414
González-Bailón, S., & Lelkes, Y. (2023). Do social media undermine social cohesion? A critical review. Social Issues and Policy Review, 17(1), 155–180. https://doi.org/10.1111/sipr.12091
Gross, J., & Vostroknutov, A. (2022). Why do people follow social norms? In Current Opinion in Psychology (Vol. 44, pp. 1–6). Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.08.016
Hampton, K. N., Sessions, L. F., & Her, E. J. (2011). Core networks, social isolation, and new media: How internet and mobile phone use is related to network size and diversity. Information Communication and Society, 14(1), 130–155. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2010.513417
James-Kangal, N., Weitbrecht, E. M., Francis, T. E., & Whitton, S. W. (2018). Hooking Up and Emerging Adults’ Relationship Attitudes and Expectations. Sexuality and Culture, 22(3), 706–723. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-018-9495-5
Jha, A. K., & Verma, N. K. (2024). Social Media Platforms and User Engagement: A Multi-Platform Study on One-way Firm Sustainability Communication. Information Systems Frontiers, 26(1), 177–194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-023-10376-8
Kavitha, C. R., Rajarajan, S. J., Jothilakshmi, R., Alaskar, K., Ishrat, M., & Devi, V. C. (2023). Study of Natural Language Processing for Sentiment Analysis. Proceedings - 2023 3rd International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Social Networking, ICPCSN 2023, 1425–1432. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICPCSN58827.2023.00238
Kawulich, B. B. (2005). Participant Observation as a Data Collection Method. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 6(2). http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs/
Korchmaros, J. D., Ybarra, M. L., & Mitchell, K. J. (2015). Adolescent online romantic relationship initiation: Differences by sexual and gender identification. Journal of Adolescence, 40, 54–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.01.004
Lazarus, S., Whittaker, J. M., McGuire, M. R., & Platt, L. (2023). What do we know about online romance fraud studies? A systematic review of the empirical literature (2000 to 2021). Journal of Economic Criminology, 2, 100013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeconc.2023.100013
Lee, K. S. (2023). Examining Safety and Inclusive Interventions on Dating Apps by Adopting Responsible Social Media Guidelines. ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, 537–546. https://doi.org/10.1145/3582515.3609579
Maharani, P., Paendong, S. M., & Amiruddin, N. N. (2024). Persuasive linguistic strategies in Indonesian e-commerce campaigns for the 2021 pandemic marketing framework. Lingua Cultura, 18(1), 117–132. https://doi.org/10.21512/lc.v18i1.11957
Phan, A., Seigfried-Spellar, K., & Choo, K. K. R. (2021). Threaten me softly: A review of potential dating app risks. In Computers in Human Behavior Reports (Vol. 3). Elsevier Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100055
Przybylski, A. K., & Weinstein, N. (2013). Can you connect with me now? How the presence of mobile communication technology influences face-to-face conversation quality. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 30(3), 237–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407512453827
Rosenfeld, M. J., & Thomas, R. J. (2012). Searching for a Mate: The Rise of the Internet as a Social Intermediary. American Sociological Review, 77(4), 523–547. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122412448050
Sharabi, L. L. (2024). The Enduring Effect of Internet Dating: Meeting Online and the Road to Marriage. Communication Research, 51(3), 259–284. https://doi.org/10.1177/00936502221127498
Smith, A., & Duggan, M. (2013). Online Dating & Relationships. Https://Www.Pewresearch.Org/Internet/2013/10/21/Online-Dating-Relationships-3/. www.pewresearch.org
Smith, D.-N. (2023). How Deception Plays a Role in Online Dating and Dating Apps. In Canadian Journal of Family and Youth (Vol. 15, Issue 2). http://ejournals,library,ualberta.ca/index/php/cjfy
Suler, J. (2004). The Online Disinhibition Effect. In Cyberpsychology and Behavior (Vol. 7, Issue 3, pp. 321–326). https://doi.org/10.1089/1094931041291295
Sumter, S. R., Vandenbosch, L., & Ligtenberg, L. (2017). Love Me Tinder: Untangling Emerging Adults’ Motivations for Using the Dating Application Tinder. Telematics and Informatics, 34(1), 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2016.04.009
Swift, A. (2022). Being Creative with Resources in Qualitative Research. In The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research Design. New York: SAGE Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529770278.n19
Thibaut, J. W., & Kelly, H. H. (1959). The Social Psychology of Groups (1st Edition). Routledge.
Timmermans, E., & Courtois, C. (2018). From Swiping to Casual Sex and/or Committed Relationships: Exploring the Experiences of Tinder Users. Information Society, 34(2), 59–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/01972243.2017.1414093
Toma, C. L., & Hancock, J. T. (2010). Looks and Lies: The Role of Physical Attractiveness in Online Dating Self-Presentation and Deception. Communication Research, 37(3), 335–351. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650209356437
Turkle, S. (2015). Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age 2015. Penguin Press.
Vrij, A., Granhag, P. A., & Porter, S. (2010). Pitfalls and opportunities in nonverbal and verbal lie detection. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, Supplement, 11(3), 89–121. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100610390861
Ward, J. (2016). Swiping, Matching, Chatting: Self-Presentation and Self-Disclosure on Mobile Dating Apps. HUMAN IT, 12(2), 81–95.
Whitty, M. T. (2013). The Scammers Persuasive Techniques Model: Development of a Stage Model to Explain the Online Dating Romance Scam. British Journal of Criminology, 54(3), 665–684. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azt009
Whitty, M. T., & Buchanan, T. (2012). The Online Romance Scam: A Serious Cybercrime. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 15(3), 181–183. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2011.0352
Whitty, M. T., & Buchanan, T. (2016). The online dating romance scam: The psychological impact on victims – both financial and non-financial. Criminology and Criminal Justice, 16(2), 176–194. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895815603773
Zhou, Y. (2023). The Benefits and Dangers of Online Dating Apps. Canadian Journal of Family and Youth, 15(2), 54–62. http://ejournals,library,ualberta.ca/index/php/cjfy
Alkhalil, Z., Hewage, C., Nawaf, L., & Khan, I. (2021). Phishing Attacks: A Recent Comprehensive Study and a New Anatomy. In Frontiers in Computer Science (Vol. 3). Frontiers Media S.A. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomp.2021.563060
Ballara, N. B. (2023). The Power of Social Validation: A Literature Review on How Likes, Comments, and Shares Shape User Behavior on Social Media. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 4(7), 3355–3367. https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.4.723.51227
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and Loss (2nd ed.). Basic Books.
Boyd, D. (2014). It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens. Connecticut: Yale University Press. https://doi.org/10.12987/9780300166439
Bramanwidyantari, M., & Helmi, A. F. (2024). Exploring the Motives of Online Dating Application Users. Jurnal Imiah Psikologi, 12, 54–58. https://doi.org/10.30872/psikoborneo.v12i1
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Cacioppo, J. T., Cacioppo, S., Gonzaga, G. C., Ogburn, E. L., & Vanderweele, T. J. (2013). Marital Satisfaction and Break-Ups Differ Across On-line and Off-line Meeting Venues. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 110(25), 10135–10140. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1222447110
Carbone, E., Loewenstein, G., Scopelliti, I., & Vosgerau, J. (2024). He said, she said: Gender differences in the disclosure of positive and negative information. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2023.104525
Castro, Á., & Barrada, J. R. (2020). Dating apps and their sociodemographic and psychosocial correlates: A systematic review. In International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Vol. 17, Issue 18, pp. 1–25). MDPI AG. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186500
Davis, J. L., & Jurgenson, N. (2014). Context Collapse: Theorizing Context Collusions and Collisions. Information Communication and Society, 17(4), 476–485. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2014.888458
Duguay, S. (2017). Dressing up Tinderella: interrogating authenticity claims on the mobile dating app Tinder. Information Communication and Society, 20(3), 351–367. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2016.1168471
Duguay, S., & Ross-Nadié, É. (2019). Hook-Up and Dating Apps. In Communication. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/obo/9780199756841-0240
Dwivedi, Y. K., Ismagilova, E., Hughes, D. L., Carlson, J., Filieri, R., Jacobson, J., Jain, V., Karjaluoto, H., Kefi, H., Krishen, A. S., Kumar, V., Rahman, M. M., Raman, R., Rauschnabel, P. A., Rowley, J., Salo, J., Tran, G. A., & Wang, Y. (2021). Setting the future of digital and social media marketing research: Perspectives and research propositions. International Journal of Information Management, 59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102168
Ellison, N., Heino, R., & Gibbs, J. (2006). Managing impressions online: Self-presentation processes in the online dating environment. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 11(2), 415–441. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2006.00020.x
Finkel, E. J., Eastwick, P. W., Karney, B. R., Reis, H. T., & Sprecher, S. (2012). Online Dating: A Critical Analysis From the Perspective of Psychological Science. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, Supplement, 13(1), 3–66. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100612436522
Freeman, H., & Almond, T. M. (2010). Mapping Young Adults’ Use of Fathers for Attachment Support: Implications on Romantic Relationship Experiences. Early Child Development and Care, 180(1–2), 227–248. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430903415080
Gable, S. L., Gonzaga, G. C., & Strachman, A. (2006). Will You Be There for Me When Things Go Right? Supportive Responses to Positive Event Disclosures. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91(5), 904–917. https://doi.org/10 1037/0022-3514 91 5 904
Gatter, K., & Hodkinson, K. (2016). On the Differences Between TinderTM Versus Online Dating Agencies: Questioning A Myth. An Exploratory Study. Cogent Psychology, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2016.1162414
González-Bailón, S., & Lelkes, Y. (2023). Do social media undermine social cohesion? A critical review. Social Issues and Policy Review, 17(1), 155–180. https://doi.org/10.1111/sipr.12091
Gross, J., & Vostroknutov, A. (2022). Why do people follow social norms? In Current Opinion in Psychology (Vol. 44, pp. 1–6). Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.08.016
Hampton, K. N., Sessions, L. F., & Her, E. J. (2011). Core networks, social isolation, and new media: How internet and mobile phone use is related to network size and diversity. Information Communication and Society, 14(1), 130–155. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2010.513417
James-Kangal, N., Weitbrecht, E. M., Francis, T. E., & Whitton, S. W. (2018). Hooking Up and Emerging Adults’ Relationship Attitudes and Expectations. Sexuality and Culture, 22(3), 706–723. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-018-9495-5
Jha, A. K., & Verma, N. K. (2024). Social Media Platforms and User Engagement: A Multi-Platform Study on One-way Firm Sustainability Communication. Information Systems Frontiers, 26(1), 177–194. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-023-10376-8
Kavitha, C. R., Rajarajan, S. J., Jothilakshmi, R., Alaskar, K., Ishrat, M., & Devi, V. C. (2023). Study of Natural Language Processing for Sentiment Analysis. Proceedings - 2023 3rd International Conference on Pervasive Computing and Social Networking, ICPCSN 2023, 1425–1432. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICPCSN58827.2023.00238
Kawulich, B. B. (2005). Participant Observation as a Data Collection Method. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 6(2). http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs/
Korchmaros, J. D., Ybarra, M. L., & Mitchell, K. J. (2015). Adolescent online romantic relationship initiation: Differences by sexual and gender identification. Journal of Adolescence, 40, 54–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.01.004
Lazarus, S., Whittaker, J. M., McGuire, M. R., & Platt, L. (2023). What do we know about online romance fraud studies? A systematic review of the empirical literature (2000 to 2021). Journal of Economic Criminology, 2, 100013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeconc.2023.100013
Lee, K. S. (2023). Examining Safety and Inclusive Interventions on Dating Apps by Adopting Responsible Social Media Guidelines. ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, 537–546. https://doi.org/10.1145/3582515.3609579
Maharani, P., Paendong, S. M., & Amiruddin, N. N. (2024). Persuasive linguistic strategies in Indonesian e-commerce campaigns for the 2021 pandemic marketing framework. Lingua Cultura, 18(1), 117–132. https://doi.org/10.21512/lc.v18i1.11957
Phan, A., Seigfried-Spellar, K., & Choo, K. K. R. (2021). Threaten me softly: A review of potential dating app risks. In Computers in Human Behavior Reports (Vol. 3). Elsevier Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100055
Przybylski, A. K., & Weinstein, N. (2013). Can you connect with me now? How the presence of mobile communication technology influences face-to-face conversation quality. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 30(3), 237–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407512453827
Rosenfeld, M. J., & Thomas, R. J. (2012). Searching for a Mate: The Rise of the Internet as a Social Intermediary. American Sociological Review, 77(4), 523–547. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122412448050
Sharabi, L. L. (2024). The Enduring Effect of Internet Dating: Meeting Online and the Road to Marriage. Communication Research, 51(3), 259–284. https://doi.org/10.1177/00936502221127498
Smith, A., & Duggan, M. (2013). Online Dating & Relationships. Https://Www.Pewresearch.Org/Internet/2013/10/21/Online-Dating-Relationships-3/. www.pewresearch.org
Smith, D.-N. (2023). How Deception Plays a Role in Online Dating and Dating Apps. In Canadian Journal of Family and Youth (Vol. 15, Issue 2). http://ejournals,library,ualberta.ca/index/php/cjfy
Suler, J. (2004). The Online Disinhibition Effect. In Cyberpsychology and Behavior (Vol. 7, Issue 3, pp. 321–326). https://doi.org/10.1089/1094931041291295
Sumter, S. R., Vandenbosch, L., & Ligtenberg, L. (2017). Love Me Tinder: Untangling Emerging Adults’ Motivations for Using the Dating Application Tinder. Telematics and Informatics, 34(1), 67–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2016.04.009
Swift, A. (2022). Being Creative with Resources in Qualitative Research. In The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research Design. New York: SAGE Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529770278.n19
Thibaut, J. W., & Kelly, H. H. (1959). The Social Psychology of Groups (1st Edition). Routledge.
Timmermans, E., & Courtois, C. (2018). From Swiping to Casual Sex and/or Committed Relationships: Exploring the Experiences of Tinder Users. Information Society, 34(2), 59–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/01972243.2017.1414093
Toma, C. L., & Hancock, J. T. (2010). Looks and Lies: The Role of Physical Attractiveness in Online Dating Self-Presentation and Deception. Communication Research, 37(3), 335–351. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650209356437
Turkle, S. (2015). Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age 2015. Penguin Press.
Vrij, A., Granhag, P. A., & Porter, S. (2010). Pitfalls and opportunities in nonverbal and verbal lie detection. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, Supplement, 11(3), 89–121. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100610390861
Ward, J. (2016). Swiping, Matching, Chatting: Self-Presentation and Self-Disclosure on Mobile Dating Apps. HUMAN IT, 12(2), 81–95.
Whitty, M. T. (2013). The Scammers Persuasive Techniques Model: Development of a Stage Model to Explain the Online Dating Romance Scam. British Journal of Criminology, 54(3), 665–684. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azt009
Whitty, M. T., & Buchanan, T. (2012). The Online Romance Scam: A Serious Cybercrime. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 15(3), 181–183. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2011.0352
Whitty, M. T., & Buchanan, T. (2016). The online dating romance scam: The psychological impact on victims – both financial and non-financial. Criminology and Criminal Justice, 16(2), 176–194. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895815603773
Zhou, Y. (2023). The Benefits and Dangers of Online Dating Apps. Canadian Journal of Family and Youth, 15(2), 54–62. http://ejournals,library,ualberta.ca/index/php/cjfy
Published
2025-06-10
Section
Articles
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Open Access Policy
This is an open access journal which means that all content is freely available without charge to the users or their institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This is in accordance with the BOAI definition of open access.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
