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Here are some tips for staying safe online when using online dating apps. How to Use Online Dating Apps Safely. Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals.

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Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, the author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," and the host of The Verywell Mind Podcast. Over the past several years, the popularity of online dating has skyrocketed compared to where it originally started. In fact, dating websites and apps have given single people a convenient new way to connect with people. But, with the ease of dating websites and apps comes some new issues, particularly in the form of safety. For instance, interacting with strangers online can put you at risk for identity theft, online harassment, stalking, digital dating abuse, catfishing, and other scams. And, if you do decide to meet up "in real life" (IRL) with someone you met on a dating app, you need to ensure your physical safety as well. To make navigating the online dating scene a little easier and safer, we have compiled a list of important facts about online dating. We also have put together some tips for selecting the best dating app for you as well as included key tips for staying safe in the online dating world. Facts About Online Dating Apps. Whether you are new to online dating, or you consider yourself a pro, it helps to have a clear understanding of what dating apps offer including how often they are used, how they are viewed by others, and even how honest people are when building their profiles. Here is everything you need to know about the online dating industry. Online Dating Is Growing in Popularity. It's estimated there are 44 million people using dating websites and nearly 27 million people using smartphone dating apps in the United States in 2022. The number of people who use dating websites is estimated to increase to 53 million by 2024. Online Dating Has Lost Some of Its Stigmas. In 2006, the Pew Research Center found that among "internet-using" Americans, 11% reported having gone on a dating site. In 2020, Pew reported that 30% of American adults reported having used a dating site or app. The number of people in the United States who are willing to try online dating has increased, and overall, people believe that online dating is safer. Another 2006 study from Pew Research Center reported that 66% of internet users agreed that online dating is unsafe. But more recent research shows that this number decreased, a 2020 study shows that 46% of people felt online dating is unsafe. People Can Be Dishonest When Using Dating Apps. To some, it probably comes as no surprise that people may lie when using dating websites and apps. However, one study reported that most incidents of lying on an online dating site were minor when compared to more extreme types of lies like catfishing. For instance, heterosexual people tended to make minor exaggerations in an attempt to seem more attractive to the opposite sex. Men tended to say they were a few inches taller than they actually were, and women tended to say they were a few pounds lighter than they actually were. People Use Dating Apps for Different Reasons. While some people think dating apps are only for "hook ups," research shows that the reasons people use dating apps vary. One study found that these reasons tend to fall into six different categories: This same study found that women tended to use Tinder more for building friendships and self-validation, and men tended to use it more to find sexual and/or romantic partners. People may use a specific app based on the type of relationship they're looking for. One study notes that people who wanted casual relationships reported using Tinder more often, and those who wanted more serious relationships reported using OkCupid more often. You might consider using an app that thoughtfully matches you with another person if you're looking for a more serious relationship, versus an app that focuses more on photos. For instance, Plenty of Fish matches people based on behavioral patterns and even provides a compatibility score. Online Relationships May Last Longer. One study found that marriages where couples had first met online were linked with higher rates of marital satisfaction and lower rates of breaking up compared with marriages that began in more "traditional" ways, like meeting through mutual friends. Of course, you're not guaranteed to have a longer-lasting relationship if you meet your partner online. But studies like the above do suggest that online dating websites and apps may offer an advantage over meeting someone in person. With online dating, you can often get a better understanding of what someone is looking for upfront, as opposed to meeting someone in person who doesn't intend on starting a serious relationship. With dating websites and apps, you can learn about someone's values and interests even before meeting them