“Nice” to “ewww”: An Inductive Thematic Analysis of Responses to Initiation Messages Containing Sexual Content on Online Dating Tools

Abstract As online dating transforms modern courtship, sexually explicit initiation messages have become increasingly prevalent. This study examines how online daters respond to such messages, using sexual scripts theory and a feminist lens to explore how gendered norms and power dynamics shape online courtship and sociosexual norms. A total of 157 participants were surveyed about their potential responses to receiving a sexually explicit initiation message on an online dating platform. Inductive thematic analysis revealed four primary response themes: avoidance, acceptance, rejection, and power reclamation. Findings show that most recipients, especially women, preferred avoidance or rejection. Some men were more likely to accept explicit messages, particularly when the sender was perceived as attractive, highlighting conditional acceptance norms. Additionally, a minority of participants actively challenged or reclaimed power in their responses, signaling resistance to digital sexual harassment. These results underscore how sexual scripts shape perceptions of consent, agency, and desirability in online dating for both men and women. By examining these gendered dynamics, this study contributes to broader discussions on digital intimacy, sexual communication norms, and the evolving sociosexual landscape of online courtship.