Online Platform Research Articles

Audiovestibular Dysfunction Related to Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Background: Anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS) has emerged as a significant issue in autoimmune diseases over recent decades. Its hallmark feature is thromboembolic events, potentially affecting any vascularized area including the microcirculation of the inner ear. Since the first case report of APS-related audiovestibular dysfunction described in 1993, numerous reports have explored the association between APS-related antibodies and audiovestibular dysfunction. These studies indicate a higher prevalence of APS-related antibodies in patients with sensorineural hearing loss compared to healthy controls. Unlike other idiopathic hearing loss disorders, audiovestibular dysfunction associated with APS may respond to appropriate treatments, highlighting the importance of timely recognition by clinicians to potentially achieve favorable outcomes. Therefore, this systematic review aims to consolidate current evidence on the characteristics, pathophysiology, assessment, and management of audiovestibular dysfunction linked to APS. Methods: This systematic review utilized electronic searches of the PubMed, Embase, ClinicalKey, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect online platforms. The initial search was performed on 27 January 2024, with the final update search completed on 20 June 2024. Results: Based on theoretical pathophysiology, anticoagulation emerges as a pivotal treatment strategy. Additionally, drawing from our preliminary data, we propose a modified protocol combining anticoagulants, steroids, and non-invasive brain stimulation to offer clinicians a novel therapeutic approach for managing these symptoms. Conclusions: Clinicians are encouraged to remain vigilant about the possibility of APS and its complex audiovestibular manifestations, as prompt intervention could stabilize audiovestibular function effectively.

“I don’t like guns but having one in Winnipeg right now would feel safer”: Crime, liquor theft, and online fantasies of punishment and control

In 2018–2019, there was a surge of local news media coverage in Winnipeg, Canada about what news media described as “brazen” liquor store theft. Online discussion and social media platforms provided segments of the public with opportunities to assert claims about the causes and consequences of this putative crime wave as well as potential solutions within and outside the penal system. These online fora allowed internet communities to imagine new methods of crime control and vocalize a range of emotions about crime and punishment. Employing a thematic analysis of reader comments across several online and social media platforms, we argue that these online discussions about liquor theft provide an empirical case study of the new digital media logic that facilitates highly volatile and short-lived moral panics or “firestorms.” We draw upon cultural criminology scholarship to highlight the centrality of emotion in online discussions on liquor theft. By making emotion central, online discussions provide a clearer glimpse into the displaced rage that is thought to set moral panics in motion. We argue that online platforms constitute an important medium to understand how people imagine and envision punishment and control, as well as how they construct/conceive of offenders and the purported problems underlying crime.

A Systematic Review of Accessibility Techniques for Online Platforms: Current Trends and Challenges

Accessibility in online platforms is a critical concern in our increasingly digital world, where information and services are predominantly accessed through the Internet. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art in online accessibility technologies, and it is focused on key tools such as sign language recognition, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and voice recognition. Despite advancements in digital inclusivity, numerous technical limitations persist, which limit the accessibility of online content for individuals with disabilities. Our findings indicate that while speech and voice technologies have achieved good accuracies and low word error rates, further research is needed to improve the accuracy and usability of sign language recognition systems, especially for continuous sign language recognition, as they have low accuracy. In this review, we analyzed research articles and publications from well-known databases, including Google Scholar, Elsevier, IEEE Xplore, and Springer. In order to ensure a high standard of quality, we applied the PRISMA 2020 and PEDro methodologies to quantitatively and qualitatively filter the thousands of articles provided by these databases, and we selected only studies that were related to our study. Key areas of investigation included the performance and accuracy of sign language interfaces, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and speech recognition applications and the compatibility of these technologies with different platforms and devices. This review also explores the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in enhancing accessibility and personalizing user experiences. Through a critical analysis of current solutions and a discussion of existing gaps, this paper offers insights into potential improvements and future directions for creating more accessible online environments. The findings might be valuable to researchers and developers dedicated to promoting digital inclusivity and equality.

Developing Students’ Creativity in Online Education Contexts under Covid-19

This report examines how to enhance student creativity in online education. It begins by defining creativity and its significance in today's society, then underscores the unique benefits of online education in nurturing student creativity through diverse courses and resources. Additionally, the report demonstrate how online platforms and social media provide global knowledge access, stimulating creativity and imagination. It further explores how innovative curriculum design and teaching methods in online settings boost creativity via collaboration and tools such as virtual laboratories. Nonetheless, it addresses challenges such as reduced engagement and potential student isolation, which can impede creativity. Finally, the report concludes with strategies for educators to surmount these challenges and improve students' creative abilities.

Do Beliefs About Intelligence Drive Engagement in Online Learning?

This study investigates the relationship between students’ beliefs about intelligence (fixed vs. growth mindset) and their engagement and behaviour in an online learning platform. The data was collected from 28 students enrolled in COMP90082 – Software Project subject at The University of Melbourne. Students’ beliefs about intelligence were measured through a survey administered during the first week, while their online learning behaviours were captured through clickstream data from the learning management system. The study adopted a two-fold approach: first, students’ learning strategies were identified through cluster analysis of their online session duration. By examining over 41,000 learning actions —such as accessing course materials, participating in discussions, and completing assignments— three distinct learning strategies emerged: “light”, “light-intensive”, and “intensive.” Subsequently, the relationship between these learning strategies and students’ beliefs about intelligence was examined using data visualisation techniques, chi-square tests, and logistic regression models. The findings revealed that students with a growth mindset were more likely to adopt intensive and engaged learning approaches within the online platform. Conversely, those with a fixed mindset tended to exhibit lower engagement levels and less intensive learning strategies. The study may contribute to the growing literature on the psychology of online learning and highlight the potential for tailoring instructional interventions and platform design to foster a growth mindset, thereby enhancing student engagement and academic success in digital learning environments.

Pengembangan SDM Dalam Rangka Mewujudkan Ekonomi Kreatif Melalui Pelatihan Digital Marketing (Studi Kasus: UMKM Epiphany Food & Drink)

Lack of understanding in utilizing social media, websites, and other online platforms can cause business existence to be limited to the local scope. To overcome this, digital marketing training has been conducted as part of a community service program at Epiphany Food & Drink MSMEs located in Pattallassang Village, Pattallassang District, Gowa Regency. This training aims to provide knowledge and skills to MSME players in implementing digital promotion strategies, with the hope of increasing their visibility and productivity in an innovative and creative way. The Participatory Action Research (PAR) research method was applied to involve respondents in the development of digital promotion strategies that suit their needs, so that the results obtained become more relevant and applicable. The results of the training showed an increase in understanding, knowledge, and skills in using platforms such as Instagram, CapCut, Canva, and Call to Action, so that MSME players are better prepared to face the challenges of an increasingly competitive market in the digital era

Social Media and Language Learning: How: EFL Students Use Online Platforms for Language Learning at the College of Basic Education in Kuwait

This study explores the role of social media platforms in facilitating both academic and social interactions among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students at the College of Basic Education in Kuwait. The main aim of this study is to investigate EFL students’ perceptions of this use of social media and thus to determine how it can be used to facilitate language learning. A qualitative analysis approach was used, based on semi-structured interviews with 60 college students, to explore how these learners use platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) Instagram, and WhatsApp as tools for language learning. Understanding the use of social media for language learning has relevance in the modern world in terms of it enriching EFL learners’ experiences by bridging the gap between formal education and practical language use, highlighting the need to integrate these digital tools into language learning. The findings in this case reveal that social media is a significant tool for facilitating language learning practice, peer collaboration, and access to educational resources, acting as a critical tool for language learning by offering students opportunities to engage in authentic communication, access to diverse linguistic resources, and chances to participate in online communities that foster collaborative learning.

Digitized archives and research on the musical heritage of the Yellow River basin

ABSTRACT This study aims to analyse the possibility of digitizing the music heritage of the Yellow River basin. The digitization of the musical heritage of the Yellow River basin facilitates the preservation and advancement of the cultural legacy of the region, as well as ensuring accessibility to it for researchers, educators, and the public. This process is executed through online platforms and databases, thereby providing inclusive access to the cultural heritage. The investigation engaged a cohort of 50 experts specializing in archiving and digitization. Throughout the study, a comprehensive examination of the technical facets of the conversion of analogue recordings into digital formats was undertaken. Furthermore, the research encompassed an analysis of the experiential integration of digital music archives of the Yellow River basin into the educational processes of the China Conservatory of Music, achieved through a survey administered to the faculty members. The research identified technical challenges associated with the digital processing of analogue music recordings, encompassing issues related to noise (64 per cent) and distortions (44 per cent). Seventy percent of the respondents underscored the significant role of digital archives in research and educational projects. However, 44 per cent highlighted difficulties in integrating them into educational curricula.

Digital Therapeutics in Mental Health Care: A Critical Evaluation of Mobile Applications and Online Interventions for Anxiety and Depression

This research study evaluates the effectiveness, usability, and limitations of digital mental health interventions, particularly mobile applications and online platforms, in managing anxiety and depression. As digital therapeutics gain traction as innovative tools in mental health care, their potential for accessibility, scalability, and personalization positions them as valuable complements to traditional therapeutic approaches. The study utilized a cross-sectional design and meta-analysis of quantitative data from clinical trials, peer-reviewed studies, and user feedback. Key findings revealed that digital interventions significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, with paired t-tests confirming notable symptom relief post-intervention (p < 0.01). Regression analysis highlighted user engagement and personalized content as critical factors, with higher engagement correlating with improved mental health outcomes. Demographic analysis indicated that older participants experienced the most pronounced benefits, underscoring the importance of tailored approaches for different age groups. Limitations included short-term follow-up periods and potential sample selection bias, pointing to the need for more diverse, long-term research. The study concludes that digital therapeutics hold significant promise for enhancing mental health care, recommending future integration with traditional services and the adoption of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to optimize user engagement and outcomes.

The Role of Youth Groups in Community Peace Building: Case of Amani Kibra and Kibera Hamlets in Kibra Informal Settlements, Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the role of youth groups in community peacebuilding, focusing on the Amani Kibera and Kibera Hamlets groups within Kibra's informal settlements in Kenya. Methodology: Anchored on Paul Lederach’s Conflict Transformation Framework, the study employed a mixed-methods approach, involving 40 respondents from Kibera Hamlets and 35 from Amani Kibera, selected through purposive and cluster sampling. Data collection included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and structured questionnaires. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed, while quantitative data were processed using SPSS Version 28. Findings: Findings indicate that youth groups primarily focus on "Mentoring and Empowerment" (27.8%) and "Arts and Creative Expression" (26.9%), but encounter challenges such as resource limitations and socio-political instability, leading to ineffective support from religious institutions, government agencies, and NGOs. The study concludes that youth groups are essential for addressing community challenges and recommends expanding arts initiatives, improving resources, and using online platforms to enhance peacebuilding in Kibera. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study uniquely contributes to theory, policy, and practice in informal settlements by offering actionable, context-specific recommendations grounded in empirical evidence. It provides valuable insights into how innovative collaboration fosters trust and social capital, serving as an important resource for policymakers.

Smart Sensor Placement For Thermal Monitoring Of Concrete

Structural health monitoring (SHM) has become an inevitable part in a life span of a structure due to its potential to ensure the public safety and to increase the life span of the structure. Monitoring any kind of structures for various parameters, using wireless smart sensors has gained popularity in recent past. This paper discusses the development of low cost real time wireless smart sensor monitoring system to monitor early age concrete temperature in real time. Temperature of two early age concrete mixes (Mix1, Mix2) were measured in real time for 24 hours by using DS18B20 sensors connected with the Node Mc u, which is an open source IOT platform. Temperature measurements were saved and visualized in real time using Thing Speak TM which is an open IoT online platform with MATLAB analytics. The temperature sensor DS18B20 was selected such that it is suitable to measure temperature readings of the concrete without any interference of the chemical reactions in concrete. Calibration methods and temperature variation with different concrete mixes are also discussed. It could be seen that the wireless temperature monitoring system performed adequately and it can be considered as a better low cost alternative for traditional wired temperature monitoring system.

The Use of Electronic Mind Maps to Develop EFL Students’ Vocabulary

These days, the advancement of technology allows mind map creation on mobile apps or online platforms, which saves time and creates enjoyment for users. Literature indicates that electronic mind maps positively affect second language learning in different aspects. With the use of Coggle – an online mind map creator, this study aimed to explore the influence of electronic mind maps on the English vocabulary of EFL students. Thirty-six students of non-English majors participated in this one-group pretest-post-test design pre-experimental research, which lasted ten weeks. The data collected from pre-test, post-test, and questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively by SPSS. The results revealed that electronic mind maps significantly increased the students' vocabulary and developed their autonomous learning. It is suggested that electronic mind maps should be used more in the future to help EFL learners develop their language skills.

Describing Zoom exhaustion and fatigue in nursing students at a university in South Africa

Background: Online platforms have gained considerable support from students and lecturers post COVID-19, however they are associated with student exhaustion and fatigue.Aim: To determine Zoom exhaustion and fatigue in nursing students at a selected university in South Africa.Methods: A quantitative cross - sectional study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal to collect data from 146 nursing students registered at the selected university for the 4-year Bachelor of Nursing programme. The Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue Scale collected data on responses to domains of general fatigue, visual fatigue, social fatigue, motivational fatigue, and emotional fatigue. The data were analysed using the International Business Machines, Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 26.0. Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographics, a total score was calculated and mean scores and 95% confidence intervals for the different domains were calculated. Mann Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis Independent Tests were calculated to determine associations between demographics and Zoom usage.Results: The overall Zoom exhaustion and fatigue score was 46.71 (s.d. = 10.50). The motivational fatigue construct had the highest mean score of 3.29 (s.d. = 0.83), followed by general (3.18 s.d. = 0.81), social (3.11, s.d. = 0.88), emotional (3.06, s.d. = 0.99) and visual fatigue (2.92, s.d. = 0.94).Conclusion: The study concluded that while the overall mean score indicated moderate levels of Zoom exhaustion and fatigue among respondents, majority of the respondents scored high levels ( 48) of Zoom fatigue. Students reported higher levels of motivational fatigue compared to the other 4 constructs.

Bibliometric analysis of scientific literature on the use of suppositories in the treatment of prostate cancer patients

Nowadays, cancer remains one of the main causes of death worldwide. Statistical data from various literary sources indicate that more than 130,000 people in Ukraine receive this diagnosis as a sentence every year. Cancer can affect any organs of the human body and, over time, the entire organism. In 2024, the agency of the World Health Organization on cancer and the International Agency of Cancer Research published the latest statistical estimates of this pathology in a global format, where prostate cancer is among the five most common oncological pathologies and takes the fourth place. Oncological diseases are one of the priority areas of healthcare development in accordance with the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 1832 dated 07.10.2022 “On Approval of Priority Areas of Healthcare Development for 2023–2025”. It was this fact that determined the choice of the direction of this research in the matter of finding information on the provision of pharmaceutical care, namely the use of a drug – a rectal suppository for the treatment of prostate cancer. The aim of the work is to carry out a bibliometric analysis and further generalize the data of the scientific literature to study the prognostic value and features of the prescription of suppositories in the treatment of prostate cancer. Materials and methods. The data search was conducted in the PubMed electronic database using the following key terms: “prostate cancer and suppositories”, “prostate cancer”. To monitor and analyze international scientific research, with the help of visualization tools and modern SciVal citation metrics using the online platform, bibliometric analysis can be performed. Using the VOSviewer functional program, bibliometric networks were constructed and visualized. Results. A map of the relationships between the most used keywords on the topics of “prostate cancer” and “prostate cancer and suppositories”, grouped into clusters for the period from 1986 to 2024, was built. The clustering of the most used keywords on the subject of “prostate cancer” for the specified period is summarized. According to the bibliographic analysis, interest in the above topic was highest in 2014 and 2021. Conclusions. According to the bibliographic analysis, the interest in the subject of the patients’ treatment with prostate cancer disease continues to grow from 1998 up to the present. The analysis of publication activity using the visualization tool of bibliometric networks VOSviewer for the period from 2014 to 2024 for the key words “prostate cancer” has shown the presence of 14 clusters. The largest cluster is devoted to modern methods of prostate cancer treatment, studies of gene rearrangement, target therapy, carcinogenesis.

EcoSound-web: an open-source, online platform for ecoacoustics.

Passive acoustic monitoring of soundscapes and biodiversity produces vast amounts of audio recordings, but the management and analyses of these raw data present technical challenges. A multitude of software solutions exist, but none can fulfil all purposes required for the management, processing, navigation, and analysis of acoustic data. The field of ecoacoustics needs a software tool that is free, evolving, and accessible. We take a step in that direction and present ecoSound-web: an open-source, online platform for ecoacoustics designed and built by ecologists and software engineers. ecoSound-web can be used for storing, re-sampling, organising, analysing, and sharing soundscape recording or metadata projects. Specifically, it allows manual annotation of soniferous animals and soundscape components, automatic annotation with deep-learning models for all birds and for UK bat species, peer-reviewing annotations, analysing audio in time and frequency dimensions, computing alpha acoustic indices, and providing reference sound libraries for different taxa. We present ecoSound-web's structure and features, and describe its operation for typical use cases such as sampling bird and bat communities, using a primate call library, and the analysis of soundscape components and acoustic indices. ecoSound-web is available from: https://github.com/ecomontec/ecoSound-web.

Features of the development of the Ukrainian and European print media market in the current conditions

The article analyses the state of the Ukrainian and European print market in the current conditions, which are caused by socio-political, military, economic and technological global processes. The author identifies the peculiarities of functioning and development of the print media market in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war, which became a catalyst for a number of economic changes that led to a number of processes in financial terms: closure of publications, reduction of circulation, total transition to digital format, and, accordingly, transition to subscription. It is important to note that the above-mentioned processes took place in three stages: digitalization, the global economic crisis of 2013-2014 and Covid-19, and the war only accelerated them. The print media market cannot compete with other types of media. Falling circulation, closure of newsrooms or their mergers are typical for both the Ukrainian and European media markets. Today, this market and the online media market closely overlap, as print media, in order to survive financially and retain their audience in a highly competitive information environment, are actively moving to online platforms, often choosing social media as a place of operation. The study focuses on the print market in Poland, France, the UK, Germany and the Czech Republic. The European readership of traditional media consists of two parts: the older generation reads the printed version of publications, while the younger generation prefers to subscribe to digital analogues. It is more difficult for Ukrainian publications to retain their audience due to economic and military factors and a relatively young media market compared to the European one. The article emphasizes that the print media market is undergoing further active digitalization, which has particularly intensified during the Covid-19 period. This has given rise to the following trends: 1) updating of subscriptions to the digital format of printed publications; 2) transition to online formats of the same name, adaptation of the content of periodicals to social networks.

Virtual Coach-Guided Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain: Pilot Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial.

Veterans are disproportionately affected by chronic pain, with high rates of pain diagnoses (47%-56%) and a 40% higher rate of prevalence of severe pain than nonveterans. This is often accompanied by negative functional outcomes and higher mortality. Combined with research suggesting medical treatments for chronic pain are often insufficient, there is an urgent need for nonmedical pain self-management programs. An interactive online platform to deliver an efficacious treatment for chronic pain such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) could be a valuable option to assist veterans with pain care at home. This study aims to evaluate the virtual coach-guided Veteran ACT for Chronic Pain (VACT-CP) online program compared to a waitlist and treatment as usual (WL+TAU) control group through a small pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial. The primary aim was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of VACT-CP and study procedures, such as ease of recruitment, treatment receptivity, attrition and retention, sustained participation, system usability, and assessment of trial procedures. Secondary aims explored differences in the VACT-CP and WL+TAU groups on pre- and posttest (week 7) outcome measures for pain, mental health, functioning, and ACT processes. Veterans with chronic pain were recruited and randomized to either the VACT-CP (n=20) or the WL+TAU (n=22) group in a parallel group trial design. Self-report surveys were administered to participants at baseline (week 0), at the intervention midpoint (week 3), immediately after the intervention (week 7), and at the 1-month follow-up (week 11). We used Wilcoxon signed rank tests with the intention-to-treat sample to describe changes in secondary outcomes from pre- to postintervention within each group. Study procedures showed good feasibility related to recruitment, enrollment, randomization, and study completion rates. Participants reported that VACT-CP was easy to use (System Usability Scale: mean 79.6, SD 12.8; median 82.5, IQR 70-87.5); they completed an average of 5 of the 7 total VACT-CP modules with high postintervention satisfaction rates. Qualitative feedback suggested a positive response to program usability, content tailoring, veteran centeredness, and perceived impact on pain management. Although the pilot feasibility trial was not powered to detect differences in clinical outcomes and significant findings should be interpreted with caution, the VACT-CP group experienced significant increases in chronic pain acceptance (P<.001) and decreases in depressive symptoms (P=.03). VACT-CP showed encouraging evidence of feasibility, usability, and acceptance, while also providing promising initial results in improving a key process in ACT for chronic pain-chronic pain acceptance-after online program use. A full-scale efficacy trial is needed to assess changes in clinical outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03655132; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03655132. RR2-10.2196/45887.

Rumor detection model with weighted GraphSAGE focusing on node location

While social media platforms promote people’s information exchange and dissemination, they also make rumors spread rapidly on online platforms. Therefore, how to detect rumors quickly, timely and accurately has become a hot topic for scholars in related fields. Traditional deep learning models ignore the relationship and topology between nodes in the rumor detection task and use fixed weights or mean aggregation strategies in the feature aggregation process, which fail to capture the complex interactions between nodes and the dynamics of information propagation, limiting the accuracy and robustness of the rumor detection model. To address these problems, we propose a location-aware weighted GraphSAGE rumor detection model GSMA. We first introduce an attention mechanism that dynamically assigns different attention weights to different neighboring nodes for different degrees of aggregation, improving GraphSAGE’s strategy of using mean-value aggregation for all neighboring nodes during the aggregation process; second, we introduce a modulated position encoding into the model and encode the position information of nodes into the features to improve the model’s ability to perceive the relative position and order of nodes; finally, the post text sentiment is incorporated into the features to provide additional semantic information for the model as a way to achieve rumor detection in microblogging platforms. Experiments show that the accuracy of the GSMA model on Ma-Weibo and Weibo23 reaches 97.43% and 97.55%, which is an improvement of 1.11% and 0.77% compared to the benchmark GraphSAGE, and all the evaluation metrics are also improved compared to other optimal rumor detection models.

"Math is a pain!": Understanding challenges and needs of the Machine Learning community on Stack Overflow

Stack Overflow (SO) is a widely recognized online question-and-answer platform for programming, which has also fostered a substantial community dedicated to machine learning (ML), providing a space for both novices and experts to exchange ideas and find solutions to ML-related problems. However, as a relative minority of this online programming platform, research has demonstrated lower engagement in the ML community, but it remains largely unexplored to understand what hinders the engagement and contribution from ML users' perspectives. This paper presents an empirical study based on 22 hours of semi-structured interviews and 131 survey responses with users on SO and reveals the key factors that may lead to the lower response rate and extended waiting time for ML questions on SO, which includes the unique quality requirement for posting ML questions, the discrepancy between time invested and benefits gained, the dispersed nature of the ML community across various platforms and the desired improvement for SO. Moreover, the qualitative study reveals a declining friendliness in SO's culture over time; the subsequent quantitative study corroborates that newcomers frequently encounter stress when posting and answering ML questions, even though this stress diminishes with increased experience. Additionally, we also explored the potential influence of generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) on online question-and-answer platforms, specifically focusing on ML Q&amp;A. We hope the results of this study can pave the way for enhancing the experience of ML users on online platforms, ultimately facilitating improved knowledge exchange and collaboration within the ML domain.

When the "Matchmaker" Does Not Have Your Interest at Heart: Perceived Algorithmic Harms, Folk Theories, and Users' Counter-Strategies on Tinder

On online platforms, algorithms help us build and manage our relationships. However, their invisible interventions might also pose harm to these connections. Dating platforms offer a prime example where, despite extensive research on human-inflicted harm, the potential harm from the algorithms themselves, and user strategies for mitigating them, remains largely unexplored. In our analysis of 7,043 reviews and interviews with 30 Tinder users, we unveiled how users perceive algorithmic harm as damaging self-esteem, sabotaging potential relationships, encouraging antisocial behavior, and misrepresenting or marginalizing certain identities. We introduce a new algorithmic folk theory, the "conflict of interest" theory, perceived to perpetuate these harms. This theory encapsulates users' sense of a contradiction between the dating platform's promise of finding the perfect partner (leading to discontinued use of Tinder) and its commercial interest in retaining users to increase revenue. Users suspected various algorithmic processes pursuant to this theory, such as (a) throttling profile visibility, (b) manipulating users' matches, and (c) recommending large quantities of profiles that will not lead to matches. They also described various strategies in resistance or defense of these suspected algorithmic processes, such as engaging in counter-intuitive behaviour to disrupt the unfavorable algorithmic processes or leveraging location based filtering for match variety and safety. We conclude by discussing how the perceived algorithmic harms can inform the development of new algorithmic implementations that balance both user and company interests.