Abstract for: Platformized Intimacy: Dynamics of Relationship Building in Virtual Spaces Among Chinese Emerging Adults

China’s online dating and matchmaking market expanded from 2.69 billion to 9.38 billion yuan between 2014 and 2023, yet many emerging adults continue to experience romantic instability and repeated relationship turnover. Within these digitally mediated relationships, ghosting has become increasingly common, often generating significant negative psychological effects. Understanding and mitigating the potential psychological harms associated with expanding digital intimacy platforms is therefore critical for safeguarding youth well-being and protection. This mixed-methods System Dynamics study uses triangulated qualitative and quantitative approaches to examine ghosting dynamics in China’s dating app ecosystem. Behavior-over-time (BOT) charts capture longitudinal patterns of relational fragility using academic and public reports. Insights from a literature review and semi-structured interviews identify key influencing factors. These findings are integrated into Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) to theorize feedback structures and iteratively validate dynamic hypotheses. Dating apps exhibit reinforcing feedback loops in which user growth increases perceived partner abundance, reducing relational investment and normalizing ghosting. This drives re-engagement and further expands the user base which creates a self-reinforcing cycle. Delayed balancing through ghosting-induced uncertainty and distress withdrawal fails to contain exponential fragility growth. Interviews confirm the dominance of R1/R2 reinforcing dynamics, while the delayed B1 balancing loop explains plateauing adoption amid declining relationship quality that reflects limits to growth pattern. Platforms should increase transparency about ghosting prevalence and its emotional impacts, while enabling clearer signals of serious versus casual relationship intentions to reduce perceived partner replaceability. Design features that support explicit dating intentions and healthier coping strategies can help minimize unnecessary self-blame and emotional distress. Greater awareness of ghosting dynamics may encourage more constructive user behaviors. In parallel, regulatory alignment with youth mental health guidelines can help promote healthier relationship practices among emerging adults.