When we think of dating apps like Tinder or platforms like eHarmony, we think about romantic experiences or funny dating disaster stories our friends have shared. What we don’t normally associate with dating platforms are children and young people.
Dating apps are designed for adults but online dating culture has steadily become normalised as the socially acceptable way to connect with and meet others. When young people use these platforms, this will cause concern for parents and safeguarding professionals.
These apps aren’t designed for children and young people, so there are limited safeguards in place to protect them. Children and young people frequenting these platforms may be exposed to age-inappropriate interactions and potential harm.
By understanding the functions of such apps and the attitudes, behaviours and culture that exist on some these platforms, you’ll be better able to support and protect those in your care.
This article explains the typical functions of dating apps, the risks and concerns, and how you can protect the children in your care with our top tips.

Risks and Areas of Concern
Some young people will believe they can use dating apps safely, however, there are a number of issues we’re concerned about.
1. Location
Most dating apps let you connect with users ‘nearby’, which increases the likelihood of meeting and communicating with strangers.
GPS provides a relatively accurate indication of a user’s likely location which can be misused.
Users can also reveal more information than they had initially intended via the photos that they have uploaded. This may be due to data contained within the photo or clues from the photo background, for example, recognising a photo has been taken in a particular place or with a familiar item of clothing such as a uniform.
There have been violent hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people where the perpetrator used location-based dating apps to target victims.
2. Linking to Other Accounts
It is common for users to share their other social media accounts (Instagram and Snapchat are two popular examples of this) in conversations or via information in bios or profiles.
This also means that predators involved in grooming and exploitation can harvest additional information from a range of sites, and indeed encourage victims to move from dating platforms to environments that provide the predator with even greater levels of protection i.e. disappearing messaging or encryption.
3. Harmful / Inappropriate Interactions
There is a risk of exposure to adult conversations about alcohol and drugs and harmful content including sexual imagery.
Young LGBTQ+ people who may feel isolated might be drawn toward dating apps. Yet, this form of support and sexualised digital environment is likely to be age-inappropriate for many LGBTQ+ young people.
LGBTQ+ young people may be more likely to hide their use of dating apps from the adults in their lives as they may not be ‘out’ yet, meaning they may be less likely to seek support if things go wrong.
4. Bullying, Exploitation and Extortion
Catfishing is a common phenomenon on dating apps. This relates to the use of a false identity to trick another person into revealing information or images of themselves.
Intimate images can be used for blackmail and extortion purposes. This is sometimes known as sextortion. Some predators who trick children into sharing images during the grooming process will often use the threat of sharing those images to coerce the child into sending more or to meet in person.
Young people may also use catfishing to cyberbully another e.g. where they capture an image and share it to humiliate the victim.
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