IF the United States is an indication of the global trends, dating online is either safe or not safe for those people looking for love.
It may be a reflection of what is already out there in the traditional dating sphere — you may or may not be lucky to find “the one.” It is neither safe or not dangerous to have a blind date.
But one thing is certain though — dating online is here to stay even if the pandemic is over.
As expected, most dating app users are the digital nomad generations of GenZs and millennials.
30% of Americans dated online
US-based think tank Pew Research Center released a survey last Thursday, February 2, showing that three in ten US adults have used a dating site or app.
The survey was conducted July 5-17, 2022, among 6,034 respondents all over the US.
“Their experiences range from triumphant to troubling, as some report meeting a partner online or being excited about prospects, while others report facing harassment or scams,” the Center said in its report.
Tinder, dating app of GenZs
The study reveals that Tinder is the most widely-used dating platform in the US. 46 per cent of online daters used Tinder.
And among Tinder swipers, 79 percent are 18 to 29 years old. Around 44 percent are millennials and early Baby Boomers age 30-49.
Half of the LGB respondents said they are left and right swipers. 45 percent heterosexuals go to Tinder.
Incidentally, Tinder is also the most downloaded app in the Philippines, according to New York-based digital market intelligence solution Similarweb.
Other apps
Meanwhile, a ratio of one in ten adults report using Match or Bumble, followed by OkCupid, eharmony and Hinge.
Among Bumble users, more than half are 18-29 year old love seekers. A significant 24 percent of Bumble daters are aged 30-49 years old.
Grindr and HER are used by a fairly small share of online dating users as these are more targeted to lesbian, gay or bisexual online dating users. Around 34 percent of LGB online daters have tried Grindr.
Match is more popular among 50-64 year old online daters.
Success stories, inhibitions
One in 10 adults who are partnered — married, living together or seriously committed in a relationship — say they met “the one” via dating app or site.
But even with visible success stories, Americans are still divided on their views about dating apps.
Firstly, not everyone is convinced meeting someone online is safe.
About 48 percent say dating apps are safe while 49 percent or nearly equally half of surveyed subjects feel otherwise.
Mixed experiences
Again, in terms of experiences, the results are equally divided.
A little more than half said they had a positive encounter while others received one in four unwanted behaviors: receiving unsolicited sexual messages or images, experiencing unwanted continued contact, being called an offensive name or being physically threatened.
These experiences, however, are varied by demographics like gender, race and ethnicity, household income and sexual orientation.
Also, despite a notable number of happy endings, lawmakers and authorities in the US still warn of possible risks of opening up oneself to a total stranger online.
Because of this, companies that run such platforms have committed safety for their members by rolling out features to protect daters.
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