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Nobody Can See Us: An Overview of Online Dating Site Experiences

Published: 28 August 2024 Publication History

Abstract

Although Bangladesh is a country that values matchmaking and matchmakers greatly, online dating is a relatively new phenomenon that became popular only recently mostly among the young population. While anecdotal reports suggest a considerable number of individuals utilize online dating platforms in Bangladesh, a comprehensive investigation of their experiences and the potential impact on their well-being has yet to be conducted. Given the growing prevalence of online dating apps among young adults in Bangladesh, the present study aims to conduct in-depth interviews with a sample of 33 participants between the ages of 18 and 25 who actively use these platforms. The sample comprises 14 male and 19 female participants, each of whom has experience using online dating apps. By gaining insights into the experiences of young adult users of dating apps in Bangladesh and examining the effects of such platforms on their physical and mental well-being, the findings of this study highlight three areas: a) youth's intention to fight existing social norms, b) gender experiences relating to abuse and harassment in online dating platforms, c) alternative usage of online dating application space, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic period. This study also seeks to raise awareness of online usage patterns among young adults in Bangladesh and identify potential interventions that may address any negative outcomes associated with excessive online activity.

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  1. Nobody Can See Us: An Overview of Online Dating Site Experiences

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    cover image ACM Conferences
    COMPASS '24: Proceedings of the 7th ACM SIGCAS/SIGCHI Conference on Computing and Sustainable Societies
    July 2024
    354 pages
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    Published: 28 August 2024

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    Author Tags

    1. Bangladesh
    2. Online dating app
    3. abuse
    4. gendered perception
    5. taboo

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