Transformation of China’s most popular dating app, Momo, and its impact on young adult sexuality: a critical social construction of technology analysis

This chapter explores China’s most popular dating app ‘Momo’ and its impact on young adult sexual- ity. It examines three interrelated questions at three different levels: First, at the macro level, in what social situations and institutions were mobile dating apps such as Momo invented in China? Second, at the meso level, if we consider Momo as a constantly changing social process, what are the transfor- mations it has experienced, and, during this process, what societal forces have impacted the trajectory of changes and in what ways? Third, at the micro level, how the transformation of Momo’s ‘intimate infrastructures’ at different developmental stages has impacted the sexuality and intimate relationships of its young adult users? It argues that mobile dating apps have to timely transform their design, func- tions, and market positions to adapt to the changing market competition and governmental regulations in China. The transformation of the intimate infrastructures of the mobile dating apps has also shaped the young adult users’ intimate practices and sexuality.