Expert opinion on the dangers of dating sites
Using the Dating application, users can view dozens of profiles every minute and plan several dates at the same time. They may be planning to start a family or just doing something optional. However, as in other cases, there is one “but” here. The decision to meet is always made with limited information. Proximity to the territory, a passionate look in the main photo, a few jokes — all these selection criteria cannot be called serious.
Contents of the article:
Dangers of Online Dating
According to Tinder research, users are online for up to 90 minutes every day. At the same time, you can find a large number of fake profiles on dating apps and sites. Often in their open spaces you can meet sexual perverts and maniacs. Some app features, such as the use of location data, expose users to serious risks. Of course, when managing Internet resources in general, steps are being taken to improve security. However, in many cases this is not enough. So says John Leach, a member of the Manchester Local Government Council (UK). He believes that online dating companies must take responsibility for the safety of their users. Over the past four years, 17 people in Manchester County have reported being raped after meeting on Grindr and Tinder. In total, 58 people became victims of crime during the same period. That”s a little more than one victim per month.
Difficulties in collecting information
The problem is that crime statistics related to online dating are very low. In 2016, the same UK collected data from police departments across the country. It turned out that not all departments keep statistics on crimes related to dating apps. Another problem is that the very fact of the victim crime is hushed up. It is believed that only 17% of all rapes result in the victim calling the police (whether the incidents involve online dating or not).
Crime trends
Between 2008 and 2013, the Pew Research Center collected statistics on the use of dating apps. He found that among the adult population, the number of users tripled. In England, the number of crimes related to online dating increased almost sixfold over the same period. If this continues, these apps and sites will become very dangerous. On the other hand, much depends on the crime trend itself. For example, in the United States, the incidence of sexual assault and incest has decreased by 63% from 1993 to the present. In contrast, UK statistics show an increase in the number of rapes since 2012.
It is worth noting that about 72% of crimes occur on the territory of the victim or the offender (house or apartment). It is alarming that 41% of dates that ended in rape took place in the home of one of the participants on the first date. This means that the victim and the perpetrator did not change location — for example, they visited a cafe and then went home. And all this — despite numerous advice to always spend the first date in a public place.
Read also: Top 5 largest dating sites research by the Russian Sociological Center shows that more than 50% of couples are formed through online dating. Most love relationships.
Another study was conducted in Hong Kong in 2016. 666 students took part in the study. The results showed that almost half of the respondents had used online dating apps. Representatives of this category were twice as likely to experience some form of sexual violence (from coercion to unprotected sex ending in rape). This study does not prove that people are at risk simply by using apps. However, scientists find this trend alarming.
Beware: criminals on the Internet
Online dating, features and dangers
All responsibility should be placed on the applications. Or not?
Meanwhile, Match. com representatives have been very hesitant to comment on the situation. In 2013, a Consumers Digest article quoted excerpts from an interview with Mandy Ginsberg, the company”s CEO. “Match. com is no different from regular social media. If you go to a bar and meet someone new, be careful.” Opponents, on the other hand, see one important feature of dating apps: that users must pay to use the service. Therefore, user safety must be ensured. After all, in the US alone, apps generate $3 billion in annual revenue.
Does this give you the right to be irresponsible with your health and life? After all, we pay to be in bars, too. However, it”s not a good idea to initiate a conversation with a potentially dangerous or suspicious person. John Leach believes that even if every effort is made to match police databases with newly registered users, 100% safety cannot be guaranteed. “An app can take other steps to create a secure environment. For example, requiring each sign-up to link their app account to a social media page. This can facilitate identity verification.” For some apps, including Tinder, this step is already mandatory. Others are hesitant to take such steps. Tony Neate, CEO of the non-profit organization Get Safe Online, said: “We recognize the need to protect ourselves and our personal information from being used for fraudulent purposes. Online communications are also a source of financial fraud and other crimes that can cause emotional trauma.”
App recommendations
There are a number of online safety tips available on various online resources, including dating apps. Tinder emphasizes the importance of meeting new people only in public places. The Grindr app encourages users to make time for real dates and always let their loved ones know where they are. Most online resources also provide users with the opportunity to file complaints about inappropriate behavior. In the future, such users will be blocked and their profiles deleted.
