The current study examines how college students participate in the use of location-based real-time dating (LBRTD) applications and the correlates of in-person and cyber victimization. Using an exploratory lens, the present study draws on the classical criminological theories of lifestyle-routine activities (L-RAT), self-efficacy, and low self-control which have been applied to various forms of abuse. Although the use of LBRTD applications has become relatively common place, with approximately 15% of Americans reporting having used a mobile dating application or online dating site, little is known concerning the role these applications play, particularly among college students (Boillot-Fansher, 2017; Smith, 2016). Using self-report data (n=324), the current study uses an adapted survey instrument, reviewing the three theoretical frameworks discussed. Descriptive statistics provided indicate a prevalence of both in-person and cyber victimization, as facilitated by LBRTD applications. Overall, the current thesis’ findings and the implemented analyses show mixed support for L-RAT, substantial support for self-control, and no support for self-efficacy.

Smarttelefoner med applikationer har öppnat upp för nya kommunikationsmöjligheter. Denna studie undersöker den kontaktskapande applikationen Tinder, utifrån användarnas upplevelse av applikationen. Tinder är en positionsbaserad kontaktskapande realtidsapplikation som har flera miljoner användare världen över. Varje användare måste koppla upp sin profil mot Facebook, varifrån profilbilder, namn, ålder och gemensamma vänner hämtas. I studien undersöktes hur unga vuxna i åldern 18-30år, bosatta i Stockholm förhåller sig till hur Tinders funktioner och gränssnitt bidragit till applikationens genomslag. Studien baseras på Normans sex designprinciper, enkätsvar från 120 personer samt intervjuer med användare inom målgruppen. Resultatet visade att anledningen till Tinders framgång är en kombination av tre faktorer. Den första är att applikationen förhåller sig till Normans designprinciper. Den andra är att det skapas en trygghetskänsla hos användarna genom att i Tinders fall koppla varje användare till dennes Facebook-konto, samt att marknadsföra applikationen på rätt sätt. Tinder lyckades med det sistnämnda genom att marknadsföra och utforma applikationen som en kontaktskapande applikation snarare än en dejtingapplikation, vilket lockar en något annorlunda målgrupp. / Smartphones with applications have created new communication opportunities. This study explores the application Tinder by examining the user experience. Tinder is a location-based application which has millions of users worldwide. Each user has to connect their profile to Facebook, from which Tinder gets the users' profile pictures, names, age and mutual friends. In the thesis, we examine how young adults of age 18 to 30, living in Stockholm, relate to how Tinder's functions and interface have contributed to the success of the application. The study is based on the six design principles created by Norman, a survey with 120 respondants that has used the application and interviews. The results show that the reason for Tinder's success is a combination of three factors. The first is that the application relates to Norman's six design principles. The second reason is that a sense of security created for the users of the profile's connection to Facebook. The third is that Tinder has been marketing their application not as a datingapplication, but as a way for people to meet others, which attracts a slightly different target group.