Online Dating Profiles and Problems in Older Adults: A Review

Abstract

This narrative review is based on literature searches of PubMed and PsycINFO using the terms online dating in older adults. The papers that met inclusion criteria include content analyses of online dating profiles and interviews with online dating individuals. The issues that emerged from this literature included online versus off-line advantages and disadvantages, online profile characteristics that differ by age and gender and online use problems. Online versus off-line dating older adults have reputedly experienced greater disclosure and expression of what they referred to as the “true-self” online. In their profiles, online older adults have also expressed greater interest in relationships and more selective relationships as well as health-related issues and have been willing to travel further for dates, whereas online younger adults have been more focused on work and achievement. Gender differences include males at all ages being more interested in physically attractive, younger dates. In contrast, online females have expressed more interest in communication and in older men, until they are 75- years-old when they have expressed more interest in younger men. These differences are discussed in the context of socioemotional selectivity theory and investment theory. Limitations of the literature include non-representative samples of individuals who are more educated and higher income than off-line individuals. The interviews may also reflect socially desirable responses and the content analyses may be biased by deception.