DO ADOLESCENTS USE DATING APPS TO FIND SEXUAL PARTNERS? A STUDY OF MOTIVATION OF DATING APPS USE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN INDONESIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: The existence of dating apps as a form of technological advancement has given individuals new ways to search for a romantic partner. Twenty-five percent of newlywed couples met through dating apps, while 40% of unmarried individuals were looking for partners online. Behind the search for a romantic partner through an app, some risks keep track of its users, which is associated with increased sexual activity. The use of dating apps for adolescent users should be a concern, given that, in the adolescent phase, initiation into sexual activity has become one of the frequently emerging aspects. Aims: To find out the motivation for using dating apps among adolescents aged 18-24 years old. Methods: The users’ motivation of the dating apps focuses on three aspects: Relationship Seeking, Sexual Experience, and Flirting which are categorized into low and high motivation. The study used a quantitative approach with data collection through online questionnaires on 151 respondents. This study used chi-square as its analytical tool. Result: The study showed that, of the three motivations, the motivation to find a lover was the most common among the participants. Regarding the sociodemographic characteristics, sex and the frequency of use of dating apps show significant association with sexual experience and flirting motivation. Age and region are associated with relationship-seeking and flirting motivation, respectively. Interestingly, relationship status is associated with sexual experience motivation. Conclusions: The study recommends increasing the provision of reproductive health information to minimize the risk of dating app use among adolescents. Keywords: Dating apps, adolescents, motivation