Over the last few years, the popularity of online dating has surged compared to where it originally started. In fact, dating websites and apps have offered single people a convenient way to interact with people. However, with the convenience of dating websites and apps comes some potential issues, especially in the form of safety. For example, interacting with strangers online can place one at risk for identity theft, online harassment, stalking, digital dating abuse, catfishing, and other scams. Moreover, if you do choose to meet up "in real life" (IRL) with someone you met on a dating app, you need to assure your physical safety too.
To help easily and safely navigate the online dating scene, this blog post has compiled a list of important facts about online dating. You can also know some tips to choose the best free dating sites in USA for you. Also are included valuable tips for staying safe in the online dating world.
Facts About Online Dating Websites
Whether you have just started online dating, or you consider yourself a veteran, it helps to have a clear understanding of what dating sites and apps offer. Also, how often they are used, and how they are viewed by others. Alongside how honest people are when creating their profiles. Here are some facts you need to know about the online dating industry.
Online Dating Is Growing in Popularity
On an estimate, there are 44 million people using dating websites and about 27 million people using smartphone dating apps in the United States in 2022. The number of people who use dating websites is estimated to grow to 53 million by 2024.
Online Dating Has Lost Some of Its Stigmas
In 2006 research concluded that among internet-using Americans, nearly 11% had visited a dating site. In 2020, the same study reported that 30% of American adults reported having used a dating site or app. The number of people in the United States who are eager to try online dating sites and apps has increased. And on the whole, people believe that online dating is safer.
Choosing the Best Dating App for You
When it gets down to picking the best free dating sites in the USA for you, reading reviews and comparing apps can get tricky. Particularly when the features and options differ tremendously and are constantly changing as developers tweak dating websites and apps.
Review the Safety Features
Online dating could be a risky endeavour since there are so many unknowns. As a result, you want to be sure that the site and app you pick have some in-built safety features. In principle, the site will promote its safety guidelines on the sign-up page. However, if they don’t or if the safety guidelines are very hard to find, you may want to seek some other website and app.
The Bottom Line
When creating your dating profile don’t use the same photo that you have on your social media accounts. If you use the same photo as your Facebook photo or your Instagram page, it would be easy for someone to perform a reverse image search with Google.
