This page brings together AffectionPlus’s documentary monitoring on “Dating”: scientific studies and academic publications first, followed by recent news items and posts spotted on social media.
To read our full guides, practical dossiers and detailed answers on this topic, visit the Meeting someone section or return to the Stay up to date overview.
Scientific studies, clinical trials and systematic reviews published in international literature on this topic.
— A study of 881 dating app users (Computers in Human Behavior, autumn 2026) reveals a paradox: transient loneliness reduces ghosting, whereas chronic loneliness increases it by triggering emotional dating app fatigue. Meanwhile, a systematic review of 21 studies (Encyclopedia MDPI, October 2026) finds that 64.5% of young adults have ghosted someone and 72% have been ghosted.
— Three studies by researchers at Berkeley and Cambridge (more than 1,100 participants) show that people who are ghosted underestimate how uncomfortable the other person feels, especially when the silence was not intended. A very short reply such as “sorry, can’t talk” is enough to reduce the misunderstanding.
— A study from Leuphana University of Lüneburg (543 participants responding to a fictional scenario, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships) compares three moments for sending a message after a first date: the next morning produces the highest relationship intentions; women appear more sensitive than men to this timing, close to the limit of statistical significance. These are reported intentions, not relationships followed over time.
Recent news, legal developments and institutional announcements on this topic, summarised with their date and source.
— The European Parliament has approved extending the temporary 'Chat Control 1.0' derogation until 2028, allowing messaging and email providers to voluntarily scan non-end-to-end encrypted communications for child sexual abuse material, while maintaining its refusal of mandatory scanning that would weaken end-to-end encryption.
— Signed into US law, the Romance Scam Prevention Act (H.R. 2481, Public Law 119-129) requires dating apps to notify users within 24 hours if they have interacted with a profile banned for fraud. Meanwhile, a late-October 2026 Senate investigation reports that Tinder's biometric Face Check cut interactions with scammers by 70%, as federal prosecutors convict members of a $9 million romance scam ring targeting seniors.
— The FBI's complaint center (IC3) received 23,159 "Confidence/Romance" complaints in 2025, with $929,287,469 in reported losses, compared with 17,910 complaints and $672,009,052 in 2024. These are victims' reports, in a category that also includes the fake relative in distress scam; people aged 60 and over report more than half of the amount.
Posts and videos from institutions, media, specialists and AffectionPlus spotted right now on social media.
— Relationships Australia NSW suggests that how we communicate, work through rough patches and stay connected to those closest to us can influence our wellbeing. It encourages treating relationship quality as part of overall health.
Facebook · Relationships Australia NSW
— A TV news segment looks at the risks people can face on online dating apps. It aims to raise awareness of the dangers.
YouTube · 7NEWS Australia
— A local TV news report features police officers giving advice on reducing risks when meeting people through online dating.
YouTube · 12 On Your Side
— A county sheriff's office posted a Safer Internet Day reel with practical advice for staying safe when dating online, timed to Valentine's Day.
Instagram · @polksheriff
— An FBI field office video cautions that scammers on dating apps and social media may pose as a perfect match to get money and personal information. It points viewers to the FBI's romance scam page for guidance.
Instagram · @fbiphiladelphiadivision
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Text written with the help of AI, under the editorial responsibility of CAPIT. Human reviews are occasional (method: About). Spotted an error? Write to us.
