Investigating the Impact of Mobile Dating Applications in Perspective of Hookup Culture among Pakistani Youth

Abstract

Aim of the Study: Mobile dating has become more communal with a growing number of smart phone applications that brings facilitation for dating globally. In the current study, the researchers investigated whether the usage of mobile dating applications cause hookup culture in Pakistani society. Nearly majority of the sample use dating applications regularly, with Tinder and Mingle being the most popular. The study witnessed that there is a significant change in the behavior of youth. Yet what remains unidentified is another affective dimension of the behavior of youth towards these mobile dating applications in relation to long-term commitments whether they consider them trustworthy in looking for serious relationships.

Methodology: The study operationalized the theories of uses and gratification and diffusion of innovation with an association of quantitative research by using survey method along with purposive and snowball sampling. Online structured questionnaire was developed to collect data by using Google Forms.

Findings: The findings of the study has shown that mobile dating applications in Pakistan cause hookup culture as there is a significant correlation between mobile dating applications and youth as it clearly indicates that youth prefer to develop temporary relationships rather than long-term relationships. In this research correlation, t-test has been used for statistical analysis.

Conclusion: The study concluded that the youth do not consider mobile dating applications (Tinder and Mingle2) trustworthy to find long-term relationships as they view these applications as a source of entertainment.