Dating among kids has become very common in today’s world. Finding partners, having interactions with people online is very convenient.
The most used platform for this purpose is dating applications like Tinder. These applications were fundamentally designed for adults.
They have an. But somehow kids mispretend their age and use it. This misuse leads towards scams, emotional harms, sexual abuse etc.
It is a concerning issue for parents. That is why it is essential to have complete information about it.
What is Tinder?
Tinder is a trendy dating app that makes it easy for users to create profiles, browse images, and swipe right if interested or left if not.
When two individuals both swipe right, they can communicate and possibly meet in person. But before getting into safety concerns it is necessary to understand how it works.
How Tinder Works?
Users build profiles with photos and short descriptions, and they can explore the profiles of others in their region.
They swipe right if they like what they see; otherwise, they swipe left. When two users swipe right on each other’s profiles, they can communicate and possibly meet up.
Tinder Users and Statistics
According to Wikipedia, Sean Rad founded Tinder in 2012 at a hackathon at the Hatch Labs incubator in West Hollywood.
Tinder has 6.2 million members and 75 million monthly active users in 2020. Tinder had more than 65 billion matches worldwide as of 2021.
The Age Restriction
Tinder’s official policy requires users to be at least 18 years old in order to register an account. This age verification technique, however, is not flawless, and some teens still register accounts by misrepresenting their age.
Risks for Teens on Tinder
Even though Tinder is not intended for teens, some may attempt to utilize it. This raises numerous concerns:
Unsuitable Content
Teens can come across explicit or improper content, photographs, or conversations that are inappropriate for their age.
Privacy Issues
Even if done innocently, sharing personal information on the internet can result in privacy violations or unsafe interactions.
Dangerous Stranger
Meeting strangers they’ve met online might be dangerous for young people because it’s difficult to check the intentions of others.
Crime Ratio Due to Dating Apps
Tinder-related crimes have been reported in the United States. Over 100 reported offenses in Devon and Cornwall have been linked to Tinder, according to police figures. Rape, stalking, harassment, theft, and assault are examples of such crimes.
Furthermore, a study conducted by Brigham Young University in Utah discovered that 14% of acquaintance rapes in Utah occurred between 2017 and 2020 after the victim and perpetrator met on a dating app, such as Tinder.
The study also found that rapes involving dating apps are more brutal, with one-third of the victims strangled.
How to Monitor and Control Tinder Activity of Kids?
Due to risks and threats on tinder it is vital for parents to monitor tinder activity of their kids. For this purpose you have two options;
Without Technology
You can directly block someone on Tinder if your child is already using it. This is useful if you find that your child has interacted with potentially dangerous people. It does not involve any additional application.
- Open the chat with the person you want to block.
- Tap on their profile.
- Select the three dots in the upper-right corner.
- Choose “Block.”
You can also report unwanted behavior to users by selecting “Report” from the same menu.
With Technology
You can use a spy application like PegSpy to take charge.These enable you to monitor their online activity and take necessary action if they attempt to utilize age-inappropriate apps.
Safety Concerns about Tinder
Aside from age-related considerations, it’s critical to be aware of extra safety hazards when using Tinder. Even as an adult, meeting strangers online can be dangerous.
Parents should teach their children about the dangers of disclosing personal information and the significance of not doing so.
Conclusion
To summarize, Tinder is not a child-safe platform, and parents must be attentive in protecting their children from age-inappropriate online content and activities.
Parents may assist in securing their children’s online safety while developing trust and open communication by remaining educated, communicating honestly, setting boundaries, and using parental control tools.
Our responsibility as parents in the digital age is to establish a safe and informed digital environment for our children, safeguarding their online safety.
