By Hayley Joyce
Abstract
In today’s digital age, the ability for users to present themselves online is becoming increasingly easier. With the rise of online dating applications like Tinder, individuals have the opportunity to create an online identity that may not accurately and authentically reflect who they are offline. This conference paper delves into how features of Tinder allow users to construct a persona that differs from their true self. The photos and bio text prompts on a user’s profile can be carefully curated to present a certain image, while messaging capabilities after a successful match provide opportunities for further deception. While online dating can be a convenient way to meet new people, it is important to remember that not everything is as it seems in the digital world. It is crucial for users to approach online interactions with caution and skepticism, as what may appear authentic online could be far from reality offline.
Introduction
In today’s digital age, social networking sites and online spaces have become a popular platform for individuals to express their self-identity. This is especially evident in the realm of online dating applications, where users have the opportunity to create a profile that strangers will judge, swiping left or right in order to make a quick decision on whether or not to connect. “Profiles both represent the individual and serve as the locus of interaction (Papacharissi, 2011).” Users deliberately utilise these tools, such as selecting the ideal profile image and writing a clever bio, to present their best selves and draw in more possible matches. Users know how important it is to have an eye-catching profile that draws in potential partners, whether it means promoting their sense of humour, their hobbies, or emphasising their physical characteristics. This essay will argue that the features of online dating applications, such as Tinder, allow users to create an online identity that differs from that of their offline self in terms of authenticity. To fully utilise the capabilities, one must have a basic understanding of Tinder’s operation. Users can “match” or reject other users depending on how they perceive their profiles by using gamified left and right swipes. (Newett et al., 2018). The features of the app almost make it seem like users are “shopping” for their next partner or romantic interest (Thomas et al., 2021). The platform Tinder almost depicts itself in a way that allows users to try before they buy, contributing to a culture of disloyalty, superficiality and instant gratification.
Those who use the platform will have access to messaging features to communicate with one another if they both swipe right, allowing them to connect and form a relationship (Newett et al., 2018). Users’ self-presentation on this online dating platform is significantly impacted by these features. The idealised yet false representation of oneself that is produced through elements like messaging functionalities, photos, question and answer prompt replies, carefully curated biographies will be the main focus of this essay.
Messaging Capabilities
While exchanging messages with another user may seem to provide a more authentic glimpse into someone’s personality, it is important to recognise that individuals still have the ability to conceal parts of themselves that they do not wish to share. (Phan et al., 2021). On Tinder, once two users express mutual interest through a match, they are able to engage in personal communication through messaging. This allows them to get to know each other on a deeper level beyond just curated images and limited biographical information. Through a process known as impression management, users can regulate their conduct once they have matched with another user in order to act in a certain way that would be more positive and suggestive of being a good potential partner (Ward, 2016). “The motives of use—hooking up/sex, friendship, relationship, traveling, self-validation, and entertainment—also affect this form of self-presentation.” (Ranzini & Lutz, 2017). This quote implies that users may adapt their communication style to suit their intentions. For example, someone looking for a casual hookup may present themselves in a more flirtatious or provocative manner in order to attract potential partners. On the other hand, someone seeking a meaningful relationship may choose to communicate in a more sincere and genuine way. Individuals who lack confidence in their offline self-identity are more prone to exhibit an unauthentic version of themselves on Tinder (Ranzini & Lutz, 2017). One possible explanation for this might be that users feel compelled to project confidence in order to seem like a better fit for someone else as it may make them come across more exciting and appealing. (Ranzini & Lutz, 2017). Before pressing send, users may thoughtfully compose their messages and take their time to consider what they want to say. People may present themselves in a more polished and deliberate way with this degree of control, which may result in more successful relationships. However, this capacity for thoughtful message construction also begs concerns about sincerity and authenticity. Face-to-face talks necessitate spontaneity and rapid thinking, in contrast to internet communication. Without the option to alter or delete texts, people have to continue a discussion without hesitation. (Ward, 2016). After matching with another user, the drive to display an idealised self-identity persists; users still continue to want to promote themselves as a desirable partner, ensuring that they have displayed the best persona to create attraction and connection with the other user.
Carefully selected Images
Initial impressions are important when it comes to online dating. Users of Tinder base their early assessments of possible matches on images. As a result, people may choose images that don’t truly depict them in an effort to garner more attention. This emphasises the importance of selecting images carefully, as they are essentially the first impression one can make and deciphers whether users swipe left (no) or right (yes) (Coduto et al., 2019). Users accomplish this by sifting through all of their own photos, employing techniques like incorporating only images with attractive poses, applying makeup, or using older photos to make them appear younger, to display only the best features and conceal the ones they would prefer to keep private (Pramudiarja et al., 2023). Cat-fishing is also an issue that uploading images to Tinder creates, as it not only damages trust and relationships but also puts individuals at risk of emotional harm and even fraud. The deception involved in cat-fishing can have devastating effects on both the victim and the perpetrator. It erodes trust in online interactions and can lead to feelings of betrayal and hurt (Pramudiarja et al., 2023). In addition to enabling users to share their physical characteristics, such as height, gender, and hair colour, the ability to include images also serves as a helpful tool for visually communicating the user’s interests and hobbies based on the actions captured in the photos (Chamourian, 2017). Keeping this in mind, while picking images, users have the option to pick images that not only present a false impression of their appearance but also give a false impression of the sort of life they lead and the kinds of activities they engage in such as gym, cook, travel etc (Dunlop, 2018). A more active or fit version of oneself, for instance, may be chosen by certain users. Misconceptions about a person’s genuine lifestyle and hobbies may result from this manipulation of visual material. This practice raises questions about authenticity, identity and self-representation in online dating. Are we truly being ourselves when we present an idealised or amplified version of who we are? Or are we simply conforming to societal standards of beauty and desirability? It’s critical to think about how our online identities represent who we really are as technology continues to influence how we communicate and relate to one another.
Bio Text and question/answer prompts
Due to the word space restriction on Tinder profiles, users will make an effort to provide information that is both useful and, in their opinion, will be most influential to people who could be interested in them. The small area allocated for self-description in such profile complicates matters further when it comes to how one presents themselves. Giving just enough information about oneself in a short bio might be difficult. Users may experience pressure to stand out from the crowd and draw attention since the online environment can be very competitive. Because users are only showing one aspect of themselves—typically their good traits—in an attempt to come out as more appealing, this raises questions about authenticity. A user’s profile often has space to input information like their age, location, job, university attended, hobbies and whether they smoke or drink, as well as a blank area where they may add their own bio. Along with the prompt texts—questions or statements—that users respond to when creating their profiles, users frequently strike up conversations over these answers (Pramudiarja et al., 2023). One common tactic used to grab another user’s attention is the use of humour. According to Pramudiarja et al., (2023), humour is often employed in bios as a quick hook to encourage users to swipe right and create a match. However, it is important to note that this use of humour may not always be authentic. Users who include jokes in their profile bio may not necessarily be funny all the time. Instead, they are choosing to highlight this aspect of themselves in order to appear more fun and appealing to potential matches. False information about the kind of relationship one is seeking can also be used as a means of self-misrepresentation in Tinder biographies (Chamourian, 2017). Users of the platform may entice other users to swipe right, resulting in more matches by providing information such as ‘Looking for a long-term relationship’, suggesting they are seeking something serious (Chamourian, 2017). People may take advantage of this by pretending to be seeking a relationship, when they are merely interested in a casual encounter, fooling other users who are actually searching for a serious relationship to match with them for their own benefit. Users carefully choose text information on their profiles to present themselves in the best possible light and draw in more matches, given the restricted quantity of words that can be shown. They are constructing an idealised online persona that they believe will attract attention from others, adding only intriguing and desirable information and leaving out facts that could signal lesser attractiveness. People may manage how their audience perceives them by presenting themselves in a selected manner, moulding their appearance to conform to social norms on attractiveness and desirability.
Conclusion
In today’s digital age, dating apps like Tinder have revolutionised the way people connect and form relationships. One of the key features of Tinder is the ability for users to create an alternate identity through the photos they choose to present, the bio information they include, and the way they interact via messaging.Users carefully curate their online identity in order to attract more potential partners, often presenting themselves in a more favourable light than they may be in reality. This curated self-presentation can lead to an unauthentic representation of self, as users strive to cater to the way Tinder works and attract attention quickly. While the curation of self-presentation is not limited to dating apps, it is common for identities on these platforms to be idealised. As a result, those who exist on these platforms often present an elevated version of themselves that may not accurately reflect who they truly are.
References
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