The rise of “light relationships”: Exploring the motivations behind chinese international students’ use of dating apps in The Netherlands

Dating apps have emerged as essential tools for Chinese international students seeking to navigate interpersonal relationships in foreign environments. This study employs the theoretical framework of techno-moral change to highlight the soft impacts of dating apps on shaping these students’ perceptions. By exploring the experiences of users influenced by dual cultural contexts, we address a gap in the existing literature, which predominantly focuses on dating apps within singular cultural frameworks, by exploring the experiences of users influenced by dual cultural contexts. The findings from semi-structured interviews with 22 Chinese students residing in the Netherlands indicate that when using dating apps. Chinese international students pursue light relationships, which are characterized by low commitment, mutual understanding, and situational companionship. However, these students did not initially use dating apps with the intention of finding light relationships. Rather, their perceptions shifted over time as they used dating apps. This study highlights the transformative role of dating apps as a novel form of digital technology that reshapes users’ interpretations and values across cultural boundaries. The insights gleaned from this research not only contribute to the academic discourse on transnational migration and digital platforms but also offer practical implications for dating app developers aiming to enhance user experiences in cross-cultural contexts.