Abstract
Experiencing ghosting on dating applications is a pervasive yet challenging aspect of modern dating. Since without explanations for relationship closure, ghostees often feel rejected and find it difficult to move on. Recent advancements in chatbot show the potential to assist individuals in navigating emotionally taxing situations. However, how chatbots could be used to help ghostees remains unclear. To understand how to design ghostee-helping chatbots, nine scenario-based interviews with a conceptual chatbot prototype were conducted. From the interviews, five themes and five design implications for chatbots were identified: 1) provide proactive and sustained care; 2) communicate with a positive tone, non-judgmental attitude, and informal language; 3) help establish facts about online dating and practical communication skills for online relationship building; 4) divert attention away from dating situations and reconnect with tangible reality; and 5) ensure the confidentiality of conversations and respect the ownership of conversation data.