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Amsterdam School of Communication Research / ASCoR ASCoR

Dr. S.R. (Sindy) Sumter

Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
CW : Youth & Media Entertainment
Photographer: Sander Nieuwenhuys
Visiting address
  • Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
  • Room number: C8.00
Postal address
  • Postbus 15791
    1001 NG Amsterdam
Contact details
  • Profile

    As an Associate Professor at the Amsterdam School of Communication Research (University of Amsterdam), I combine research, teaching, and service work in the department of communication science. 
     
    My research focuses on the interplay between digital media and socio-emotional functioning among young people. I'm particularly interested in the way digital (mobile) technologies and entertainment media can shape social interactions and identity formation of tweens, teens and young adults.   

    You can find my academic publications in communication science, psychology, and interdisciplinary journals, including Journal of Adolescent Health, New Media and Society, Media Psychology, and Social Science Computer Review.  

    In our Bachelor program, I teach introductory courses sharing the latest research on youth, media, and technology. In the Master Entertainment Communication, I facilitate the thesis process, coaching students during the preparatory stages of their thesis and while conducting their thesis research. In addition, I have taught courses like Clashing Views on Media Effects and Tech4Good in which students are encouraged to critically reflect on media effects research and contemporary developments in the context of digital technologies, including the impact of design features in mobile (social) media.  

    Administrative Roles

  • Teaching and PhD Supervision

    Teaching

    PhD Supervision

  • Research

    Running Research Lines

    Mobile Dating

    Increasingly people find romantic partners via dating apps. This research line highlights the motivations of mobile daters, the impact of mobile dating on relationship development and identity-related practices, as well as considers how specific features of dating apps shape the user experience. This line of research is in collaboration with Prof. Laura Vandenbosch and Femke Konings (KULeuven).

    Media Representation and Young People

    While growing up and figuring out who they are, young people often turn to entertainment media - both consciously and unconsciously. Seeing yourself reflected in entertainment media can provide feelings of pride, belonging, and inspiration, thereby supporting the process of identity development. However, for some young people, it is easier to find these reflections of themselves than for others. This research line examines to what extent Dutch young people with different identity characteristics can find role models in Dutch and international media. In addition, the studies will reflect on Dutch young people's wishes for media content and storylines.  This line of research is in collaboration with Dr Irene I. van Driel and Dr Chei Billedo.

  • Publications

    2024

    • Dekker, C. A., Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., & Ohme, J. (2024). Beyond the buzz: Investigating the effects of a notification-disabling intervention on smartphone behavior and digital well-being. Media Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2024.2334025
    • Konings, F., Sumter, S. R., & Vandenbosch, L. (2024). Gender Roles and Mobile Dating applications: Exploring Links Between User Characteristics and Traditional Gender Expressions in Self-Presentations. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 53(6), 2361–2376. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-02884-8 [details]
      • Downloads
    • Konings, F., Sumter, S. R., & Vandenbosch, L. (in press). A Linkage Study Investigating Sexualized Self-presentation on Mobile Dating Apps and User Traits. Body Image, 51, Article 101781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101781
    • Kulla, S. T., Sungur, H., & Sumter, S. R. (2024). The role of social presence in live and recorded concert viewing: Effects on enjoyment and emotional well-being. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 14, Article 100409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100409 [details]
    • Sumter, S. R., Baumgartner, S. E., & Wiradhany, W. (2024). Beyond screentime: a 7-day mobile tracking study among college students to disentangle smartphone screentime and content effects on sleep. Behaviour and Information Technology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2024.2350663
    • Vranken, I., Sumter, S., & Vandenbosch, L. (2024). A Multi-Method Study Examining the Role of Swiping on Dating Apps: Mate Value Preferences, Sexual Satisfaction, and Need Satisfaction with Matches in Emerging Adults. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 53(7), 2547-2582. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-02891-9 [details]
      • Downloads

    2023

    • Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., Petkevič, V., & Wiradhany, W. (2023). A novel iOS data donation approach: Automatic processing, compliance, and reactivity in a longitudinal study. Social Science Computer Review, 41(4), 1456-1472. https://doi.org/10.1177/08944393211071068 [details]
    • Konings, F., Sumter, S., & Vandenbosch, L. (2023). It’s not You, it’s Me: Experiences with Ghosting on Mobile Dating Applications and Belgian Emerging Adults’ Self-Esteem. Sexuality and Culture: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 27(4), 1328–1351 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-023-10065-3 [details]

    2022

    • Konings, F., Sumter, S. R., Vranken, I., Dredge, R., & Vandenbosch, L. (2022). Behind the screens: A systematic literature review of quantitative research on mobile dating. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 51(6), 2969-3020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-022-02312-9 [details]
    • Lemmens, J. S., Simon, M., & Sumter, S. R. (2022). Fear and loathing in VR: the emotional and physiological effects of immersive games. Virtual Reality, 26(1), 223-234. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-021-00555-w [details]
    • Sumter, S. R., Cingel, D., & Hollander, L. (2022). Navigating a muscular and sexualized Instagram feed: An experimental study examining how Instagram affects both heterosexual and nonheterosexual men’s body image. Psychology of Popular Media, 11(2), 125-138. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000355 [details]

    2020

    2019

    • Cingel, D. P., Sumter, S. R., & van de Leur, J. (2019). The role of social context during television viewing on children’s moral judgments about social exclusion and stigmatization of others. Media Psychology, 22(1), 133-151. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15213269.2017.1378111 [details]
    • Sumter, S. R., & Vandenbosch, L. (2019). Dating gone mobile: Demographic and personality-based correlates of using smartphone-based dating applications among emerging adults. New Media & Society, 21(3), 655-673. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444818804773 [details]
    • van der Schuur, W. A., Baumgartner, S. E., & Sumter, S. R. (2019). Social media use, social media stress, and sleep: Examining cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships in adolescents. Health Communication, 34(5), 552-559. https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2017.1422101 [details]
    • van der Schuur, W. A., Baumgartner, S. E., & Sumter, S. R. (2019). Socialemediagebruik, socialemediastress en slaap: Cross-sectionele en longitudinale verbanden tijdens de adolescentie. Kind en Adolescent, 40(2), 157-177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12453-019-00206-7 [details]

    2018

    • Sumter, S. R., Cingel, D. P., & Antonis, D. (2018). “To be able to change, you have to take risks #fitspo”: Exploring correlates of fitspirational social media use among young women. Telematics and Informatics, 35(5), 1166-1175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2018.01.013 [details]
    • van der Schuur, W. A., Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2018). Media multitasking and sleep problems: A longitudinal study among adolescents. Computers in Human Behavior, 81, 316-324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.12.024 [details]

    2017

    • Baumgartner, S. E., & Sumter, S. R. (2017). Dealing with media distractions: An observational study of computer-based multitasking among children and adults in the Netherlands. Journal of Children and Media, 11(3), 295-331. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2017.1304971 [details]
    • Sumter, S. R., & Baumgartner, S. E. (2017). Psychosomatic complaints in adolescence: Untangling the relationship between offline and online peer victimization, psychosomatic complaints and social support. The European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 14(4), 399-415. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2016.1215980 [details]
    • Sumter, S. R., Vandenbosch, L., & Ligtenberg, L. (2017). Love me Tinder: Untangling emerging adults’ motivations for using the dating application Tinder. Telematics and Informatics, 34(1), 67-78. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2016.04.009 [details]

    2016

    • van den Bos, E., de Rooij, M., Sumter, S. R., & Westenberg, P. M. (2016). Continued development of recursive thinking in adolescence: Longitudinal analyses with a revised recursive thinking test. Cognitive Development, 37, 28-41. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogdev.2015.11.002 [details]

    2015

    2014

    • Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., Peter, J., Valkenburg, P. M., & Livingstone, S. (2014). Does country context matter? Investigating the predictors of teen sexting across Europe. Computers in Human Behavior, 34, 157-164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.01.041 [details]

    2013

    • Sumter, S. R., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2013). Perceptions of love across the lifespan: differences in passion, intimacy, and commitment. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 37(5), 417-427. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025413492486 [details]

    2012

    • Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., Peter, J., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2012). Identifying teens at risk: developmental pathways of online and offline sexual risk behavior. Pediatrics, 130(6), e1489-e1496. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2012-0842 [details]
    • Sumter, S. R., Baumgartner, S. E., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2012). Developmental trajectories of peer victimization: off-line and online experiences during adolescence. Journal of Adolescent Health, 50(6), 607-613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.10.251 [details]

    2011

    • Miers, A. C., Blöte, A. W., Sumter, S. R., Kallen, V. L., & Westenberg, P. M. (2011). Subjective and objective arousal correspondence and the role of self-monitoring processes in high and low socially anxious youth. Journal of Experimental Psychopathology, 2(4), 531-550. https://doi.org/10.5127/jep.019411 [details]
    • Valkenburg, P. M., Sumter, S. R., & Peter, J. (2011). Gender differences in online and offline self-disclosure in pre-adolescence and adolescence. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 29(2), 253-269. https://doi.org/10.1348/2044-835X.002001 [details]

    2010

    • Bokhorst, C. L., Sumter, S. R., & Westenberg, P. M. (2010). Social support from parents, friends, classmates, and teachers in children and adolescents aged 9 to 18 years: who is perceived as most supportive? Social Development, 19(2), 417-426. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9507.2009.00540.x [details]
    • Sumter, S. R., Bokhorst, C. L., Miers, A. C., van Pelt, J., & Westerberg, P. M. (2010). Age and puberty differences in stress responses during a public speaking task: do adolescents grow more sensitive to social evaluation. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 35(10), 1510-1516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.05.004 [details]

    2025

    • Sumter, S. R., van Driel, I. I., & Billedo, C. J. (2025). Representation. Manuscript in preparation. In E. Scharrer (Ed.), CHILDREN, MEDIA, AND TECHNOLOGY: ACCESS, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

    2016

    2011

    2024

    • Konings, F., Sumter, S. R., & Vandenbosch, L. (2024). Picture ‘Perfect’: A Linkage Study of Sexualized Self-presentations on Mobile Dating Applications and Users’ Characteristics.. Paper presented at Appearance Matters 10 Conference, Bristol, United Kingdom.

    2022

    • Keessen, L., Piotrowski, J., Sumter, S. R., & van Oosten, J. M. F. (2022). Me-time in the digital age: Development and validation of the need for solitude scale. Abstract from Biennial Meeting of the International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development, Rhodes, Greece.

    2020

    • Baumgartner, S. E., & Sumter, S. R. (2020). Tracking smartphone use and sleep. Paper presented at Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap 2020.
    • Mollen, S., Sumter, S. R., van der Waal, N., Kwakman, P., & van der Laan, N. (2020). The effects of virtual compared to real eating companions on unhealthy food intake. Poster session presented at Association of Consumer Research, Paris, France.
    • Sumter, S. R., Gilbert, A., & Habtemariam, S. (2020). Ready to touch? Perspectives, barriers and opportunities of social touch technology in the context of long-distance relationships . Paper presented at Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap 2020, .
    • Taylor, L., Cingel, D., & Sumter, S. R. (2020). Instagram filtering and female body image. Paper presented at International Communication Association (ICA), Gold Coast, Australia.
    • Vranken, I., Vandenbosch, L., & Sumter, S. R. (2020). Sexualization on dating apps? Unraveling the interrelations between dating app use, appearance monitoring and users’ well-being. Paper presented at European Association of Social Psychology General Meeting 2020 , Krakow, Poland.

    2018

    • Cingel, D., Sumter, S. R., & Wilson, J. A. (2018). The effect of Instagram filter level and social context on young women’s body image. Paper presented at ICA, Prague, Czech Republic.
    • Lemmens, J. S., & Sumter, S. R. (2018). Fear and loathing in VR: The effects of immersive gaming on fear, aggravation and enjoyment. Paper presented at ICA, Prague, Czech Republic.
    • Schreurs, L., & Sumter, S. R. (2018). Emerging adults’ use of online dating apps and their willingness to sext with strangers. Paper presented at ICA, Prague, Czech Republic.
    • Sumter, S. R. (2018). Dating gone mobile. Paper presented at ICA, Prague, Czech Republic.

    2016

    • Baumgartner, S. E., & Sumter, S. R. (2016). Dealing with media distractions: An observational study on computer-based multitasking among children and adults. Paper presented at International Communication Association (ICA) 66th Annual Conference, Fukuoka, Japan.

    2015

    • van der Schuur, W. A., Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2015). The consequences of media multitasking for youth: A research synthesis. Abstract from ICA 2015.

    2014

    • Rodríguez, C. D., Sumter, S. R., Smith, E., & Anschutz, D. (2014). Did I just share or overshare? Exploring the relationships between oversharing, privacy concerns and the discontinuation of Facebook use.
    • Sumter, S. R., Baumgartner, S. E., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2014). Does online peer victimization make teen victims even more sick and unhappy?. Poster session presented at Conference Cyberbullying: A Challenge for researchers and practitioners, Götenburg, Sweden.

    2013

    • Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., Peter, J., Valkenburg, P. M., & Livingstone, S. (2013). Investigating the predictors of teen sexting across Europe. Paper presented at Paper presented at the Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
    • Lemmens, J. S., Baumgartner, S. E., & Sumter, S. R. (2013). Exploring the relations between video games, emotional responses and eye tracking. Abstract from Paper presented at the Com Science_Evolution/Biology/Brain Pre-Conference to the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, London, UK.
    • Lemmens, J. S., Sumter, S. R., & Baumgartner, S. E. (2013). Exploring the relations between video games, emotional responses and eye tracking. Abstract from Paper presented at the Digital games pre-conference to the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, London, UK.
    • Sumter, S. R., Baumgartner, S. E., Valkenburg, P. M., Peter, J., & van der Hof, S. (2013). The role of interpretation biases in online and offline peer victimization. Abstract from 16th European conference on Developmental Psychology. http://www3.unil.ch/wpmu/ecdp2013/files/2013/08/Abstract-Book-2-9-13.pdf

    2012

    • Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., Peter, J., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2012). Online privacy in adolescence and adulthood. Abstract from Paper presented at the Amsterdam Privacy Conference, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
    • Sumter, S. R., Baumgartner, S. E., Valkenburg, P. M., Peter, J., & van der Hof, S. (2012). Developmental trajectories of peer victimization: How do offline and online experiences during adolescence effect psychosocial well-being?. Abstract from Paper presented at the Etmaal van de Communicatiewetenschap, Leuven, Belgium.
    • Sumter, S. R., Baumgartner, S. E., van der Hof, S., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2012). Creating a multidimensional scale for offline and online peer victimization. Poster session presented at Poster presented at the CyberPsychology & CyberTherapy Conference (Cyber17), Brussels, Belgium.

    2011

    • Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., Peter, J., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2011). Adolescents’ online sexual risk behavior and its relationship to online victimization experiences.
    • Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., Peter, J., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2011). Developmental Trajectories of Online and Offline Sexual Risk Behavior: A Group-Based Modeling Approach.
    • Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., Peter, J., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2011). Risikoverhalten im Internet: Entwicklungsverläufe von Jugendlichen.
    • Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., Peter, J., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2011). The developmental relationship between online and offline sexual risk behaviour.
    • Sumter, S. R., Baumgartner, S. E., Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2011). Development and effect of offline and online peer victimization during adolescence: a group based modelling approach.
    • Sumter, S. R., Baumgartner, S. E., van der Hof, S., Peter, J., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2011). Creating a multidimensional scale for offline and online peer victimization. Abstract from Paper presented at the EU Kids Online Conference, London, UK.
    • Westerberg, P. M., Sumter, S. R., Miers, A. C., Bokhorst, C. L., Kallen, V. L., & Blöte, A. W. (2011). Developmental changes in stress responsivity during the Leiden Public Speaking Task: A two wave longitudinal study.

    2018

    2010

    • Sumter, S. R. (2010). Growing up to be fearful? Social evaluative fears during adolescence.
    This list of publications is extracted from the UvA-Current Research Information System. Questions? Ask the library or the Pure staff of your faculty / institute. Log in to Pure to edit your publications. Log in to Personal Page Publication Selection tool to manage the visibility of your publications on this list.
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