A Study on Online Dating Platforms

Cross Cultural Study on Online Dating Platform Use and the Associated Risks/Benefits | School of Human and Health Sciences

Dr Calli Tzani and Professor Maria Ioannou from the University of Huddersfield, have been working with several academic institutions across the globe to study the risks and benefits of online dating to gain a better understanding of how using online dating platforms differs across different cultures.

The Project

With the prevalence of people using online dating platforms increasing in recent years, the need to assess the risks and benefits has become vital, allowing users to make informed decisions about their safety and wellbeing, considering factors such as potential scams, identity theft, or meeting unreliable individuals.

In 2021, Dr Calli Tzani and Professor Maria Ioannou worked closely with other academics and students to develop a project on the area of sextortion, where someone threatens to reveal sexually explicit images or videos of a victim unless they provide money, more explicit material, or other demands. Understanding the risks of online dating would help users navigate platforms more effectively, promoting safer interactions and reducing the likelihood of negative experiences.

Observing the research results and the demand for further development on the project, Dr Tzani and Professor Ioannou worked with Dr John Synnott, a reader in Psychology at the University of Huddersfield to secure collaboration with other international universities, supported by the University’s International Collaboration Fund (ICF).

Partner Institutions

• Sapienza University
• University of Cyprus
• Panteion University
• Dublin City University
• Purdue University Fort Wayne
• Stockton University
• Gwynedd Mercy University
• University of Zadar
• University of Mostar
• University of Olomouc
• Bolton University
• Universiti Malaya
• University of Malta

International Partnerships

The original team was built on a previous collaboration with the Sapienza University in Rome. The current initiative aims to study the broader area of people utilising online applications for dating and the relevant risks and benefits, such as sextortion, attachment, perceptions of love and relationships, and many other factors.

To date, two surveys have been sent to 18 universities, across 37 Social Science academics in 15 countries. The plan is to collaborate with other institutions and academics worldwide and publish a series of publications on the subject. The project team is still welcoming other institutions or academics to take part in the project.

The online dating environment is a global challenge. Research has been slowly building; however, the gaps are many and that has direct implications for potential victims and societies. To address this, we have expanded our global network to include new countries and esteemed colleagues, in an attempt to capture the reality of the risks and benefits of using online dating applications across the globe.

Dr Kalliopi Tzani Pepelasi, Senior Lecturer in Psychology

About the Researchers

Dr Calli Tzani has been a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Huddersfield since 2017. She was awarded the MSc Investigative Psychology and the PhD in Psychology from the University in 2018. She is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a member of several advisory bodies and reviews for several scientific journals.

Find out more about Dr Calli Tzani.

Dr Maria Ioannou is a Professor in Investigative and Forensic Psychology and Course Director for the MSc Investigative Psychology. She is a Chartered Forensic Psychologist (British Psychological Society) and a HCPC Registered Psychologist (Forensic). She joined Huddersfield University in 2009 as a Senior Lecturer.

Find out more about Dr Maria Ioannou.

Dr John Synnott is a Chartered Psychologist, an Associate Fellow of the British Psychology Society a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and the Associate Director for the MSc in Investigative Psychology and Deputy Director of the MSc in Security Science. He joined the University of Huddersfield in 2013.

Find out more about Dr John Synnott.