Dating/friendship apps such as Tinder and YUBO can be a good way to meet people but unfortunately, some people are using these platforms to prey on unsuspecting victims. You need to be very careful.
GENERAL INFO
Links and phone numbers throughout this site are live, tap to access.
Messaging apps make it easy to text, video-chat and share pics with strangers.
Dating Apps are often fee-based or, like Tinder, free (freemium) but then bombard you with ads and in-app purchases to promote your profile.
Many of these apps only require a phone number to sign up and do not provide adequate safety to identify and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. Many perpetrators delete their profile after an incident only to pop up later as someone else.
Risks:
- Most of the "make-new-friends" apps aren't intended for teens, but it's easy to get around age restrictions, because registration generally involves just entering a birth date. This means adults can pose as teens -- and vice versa.
- Most are location-based -- meaning they connect with people who are near you -- which increases the potential for a real-life meeting with a stranger.
- Because teens often share multiple social media handles on these apps, they can give strangers access to more personal information and intimate conversations.
- Some of them have mature content like drugs and nudity.
- The barrier to entry is very low: They're mostly free and allow essentially anyone to join.
- Less dangerous but still troubling is the heavy emphasis on looks as a basis for judgment.
source: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/tinder-and-7-more-dating-apps-teens-are-using
About Tinder:
- Pictures often reveal a teen’s exact location. Tinder allows users to look for people within a certain mile radius, so users already have a good idea about where someone is located. Savvy strangers can often locate a teen’s exact location based on the profile photo.
- Scammers use Tinder. Fake profile photos are often used to lure unsuspecting people into chatting. Then, scammers collect personal information or offer shady links to click on which can be used to swindle teens into giving out their information.
- In-person meetings. Tinder isn’t meant for creating platonic friendships. It’s used by people who want to meet in-person. Many teens underestimate the risks of meeting strangers and they may be willing to meet in private locations.
- Tinder promotes sex. Tinder has been named one of the best apps for hookups. People using Tinder are often looking for one night stands. It’s not a place for young teens to casually make friends.
Source: https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-every-parent-needs-to-know-about-tinder-2609052
SELF-HELP
Talk to your GP/doctor or contact Your Crew to
help you such as help you speak to your parents or get you to your doctor.
If you feel at immediate risk call 000
Call Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
Helplines by State:
- ACT — Canberra Rape Crisis Centre +61 2 6247 2525
- New South Wales — NSW Rape Crisis Centre 1800 424 017 or NSW Health Sexual Assault Services (visit web page to find the number in your local area)
- Northern Territory — Department of Health, Sexual Assault Referral Centres
- Queensland — Sexual Assault Helpline 1800 010 120
- South Australia — Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service +61 8 8226 8777 or 1800 817 421 freecall
- Tasmania — Sexual Assault Support Service 1800 697 877
- Victoria — Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1800 806 292
- Western Australia — Sexual Assault Resource Centre +61 8 6458 1828 or free call 1800 199 888
Source: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/sexual-assault-and-abuse-helplines
More support:
ReachOut: Everything you need to know about sexual assualt
Raising Children: Sexual assault and teenagers
Hinge safe dating advice (relevant for all dating/friend apps)
See also:
Sex and consent
Sexual Abuse
Sexual Assault
FORUMS, VIDEOS & TOOLS
ABC Four Corners Program: Tinder, A Predator's Playground
Tinder: Investigation reveals the dark side of the dating app
Crewing for or Helping Others
Sometimes it can be hard to know what to do to support someone. You may feel stressed or scared you'll say the wrong thing.
Remember your main role in YourCrew is to listen, acknowledge and communicate support. That can mean calling a professional service such as Kids Helpline or, in an emergency, calling 000 They can also guide you on what to do.
If you are under 18 years, you can also reach out to an adult or your Crew to help you support someone.
For tips on Crewing for someone go HERE
see Professional and Urgent Help for a list of services with live phone numbers and links
Article outlining the dangers of dating/making new friends apps and listing the apps with 'what you need to know':
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/tinder-and-7-more-dating-apps-teens-are-using
Article about YUBO:
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/there-s-a-tinder-for-teens-and-its-security-seems-appalling-20190228-p5110e.html
Article about Tinder:
https://www.verywellfamily.com/what-every-parent-needs-to-know-about-tinder-2609052
