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Me, My Spouse and the Internet: Meeting, Dating and Marriage in the Digital Age

January 2008 -

  • William Dutton, OII
  • Ellen Helsper, OII
  • Nai Li, OII
  • Monica Whitty, Nottingham Trent University

Research themes

An important aspect of the way in which the Internet influences our everyday life is the way in which it reconfigures not only how we communicate, but also with whom we communicate; how we meet people but also who we meet.

This theme of 'reconfiguring access' is an important element of several of our research projects. The Oxford Internet Surveys (OxIS) have recently paid special attention to social networks and relationships formed through the Internet. Other examples of projects in this area include the eSocial Science (OeSS) project, the Companions project and research on mobile phones.

This particular project, supported by eHarmony, contributes to our research into the impact of the Internet on social networks by looking at the significance and impact of the Internet on intimate relationships. Our most recent survey investigates the role played by the Internet in married life, drawing on data from couples in the UK and Australia.

Internet and Marriage: Research Questions

  • Meeting a partner: What role does the Internet play in introducing married couples? What are the geographic, socioeconomic and psychological characteristics of people who first met their partner online compared with those who met in more traditional ways?
  • Online behaviour: Which online behaviours are considered unacceptable in a partner? What are the expectations within a marriage about online self-disclosure to others?
  • Maintaining relationships: What role does the Internet play in the quality of married life? How important is online communication in resolving marital conflict?

Methodology

In October 2007, over 1000 married couples from the UK (over 2000 participants) completed an online questionnaire about their marriage and the Internet. Over 700 married couples (over 1400 participants) completed the online questionnaire for the Australian study.

Results and Analysis

  • January to March 2008: Analysis of UK and Australian datasets
  • April 2008: Initial presentation of prelimiary results at OII / Ofcom Social Networking Conference
  • May to December 2008: Refinement and publication of findings.

Events

  • Meeting, Dating, Marriage and the Internet: Invited Forum (3 October 2008): This forum will explore the history and future of academic research on online dating, and the role of the Internet in developing and maintaining intimate relationships, such as a marriage. What are the most promising directions for theory and research? Has research shaped policy and practice? Can research speak to some of the more Utopian and dystopian fears on the part of parents, counselors, and others users?
  • Meeting, Dating, Marriage and the Internet: Public Symposium (2 October 2008): This panel will provide a critical perspective on the history and future of the Internet's role in meeting new people, dating, and developing lasting relationships, such as through partnerships and marriage.
  • One Plus One Seminar (30 July 2008): Professor William Dutton, Dr Ellen Helsper (OII) and Dr Monica Whitty, (NTU) presented at a seminar organized by One plus One, in advance of the launch of their new online relationship support service (thecoupleconnection.net). Presentation Slides: Marriage and the Internet (pdf, 230kb)

Support for this research

This research project is supported by a grant from eHarmony, an online match-making company: more information about their research and projects can be found at eHarmony Labs.

We would like to continue and extend this project over time, and to include civil-contract and long-term cohabiting couples. Parties interested in supporting work in this area, or who have enquiries about this project, should contact Professor William Dutton: director@oii.ox.ac.uk