Samantha Li/Staff reporters
With COVID, the norms about dating have shifted due to the increased use of smartphones. Online dating apps have become part of many people’s social life including lots of teenagers.
Based on Psychology today, while people discussed how this can give positive social experiences and help them feel connected, a question popped up, “are these applications and platforms providing an environment safe enough for teenagers?”
A popular teen social media app Yubo, called ‘Tinder for teens’, is found to be a cesspool of sexual harassment, racism, and other sordid activities. As reported by Ben Cost in the New York Post, an investigation shows the app invites teens starting as early as age 13, and differentiates minors and adults by age while do not ensure security by requiring verification.
The app sparked outrage among teachers in the UK, who sent letters to parents cautioning “due to the nature of this app, your child may come across content that is not appropriate to them,” mentioned Ben.
Improper content and regulations are not the ends of the case, just three weeks ago, a UK man went under arrest for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl that he’d reportedly met hours earlier on a teen dating app, according to Ben’s news report.
In February, Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, Canada’s Healthy Relationships Hub published an article regarding dating violence among youth in Canada. Noticeably, 20% of Canadian teens report being victimized by physical dating violence, and 10-30% of Canadian teens report being victimized by cyber dating violence.
“The pandemic has made everything more challenging – for children and youth, advocates across the country have reported an uptick in online abuse as younger folks spend more time online,” said OVW Principal Deputy Director Allison Randall in a report by the United States Department of Justice.
Some other examples for dating apps and sites for teens that gained popularity in recent times include MyLOL, the self-proclaimed #1 network in the world, and Skout-Meet New People, which have few regulations and do not have any age verification.
When asked about online dating, Olivia Cao, grade 11, said, “I personally do not use these, I think it is unreal to date online. But one of my friends used to, it was so bad that she even got cyberbullied and harassed when she tried to end a relationship.”
Here are some safety rules that are suggested by National Cybersecurity Alliance for teens to follow:
- Keep Personal Identity Safe
- Keep full names, birthdates, and other personal information private while talking with people online.
- Do a background Check
- Reverse search pictures and see if they are connected to different social media accounts to ensure that they are not stolen.
- Trust Family
- Ask for advice and opinion from family members and examine any possible warning signs.
“We as teenagers have to be cautious when going online, especially for dating, and it is responsible for all of us to work together and create a better online environment,” commented Olivia.
Sources:
“February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month” by Promoting Relationships & Eliminating Violence Network/Canada’s Healthy Relationships Hub
“Teens Are Looking for Love in Online Places” by Diana Graber M.A.
“Dating Abuse Impacts Millions of Teens Every Year”, United States Department of Justice
“‘Tinder for teens’ app contains sexual harassment and racism: report” by Ben Cost
“Single woman shares ‘Calgary Romeo’ online dating warning: ‘Love bombing is a real thing’” by Karen Bartko
“Is Online Dating the New Normal Thanks to COVID?” by Pamela B. Rutledge Ph.D., M.B.A.
“7 Rules Your Teens Should Follow While Online Dating” by Hilary Bird
Media sources: