Tinder
Name: Tinder
Owned By: Tinder Inc.
Category: Lifestyle
Operating System: IOS and Android
Available for download: Yes
Desktop version: Yes
Approximate release date: 2012
Age Rating*: Rated 17+ for the following:
- Frequent/intense mature/suggestive themes
- Infrequent/mild cartoon or fantasy violence
- Frequent/intense profanity or crude humor
Brief Description*: Welcome to Tinder — you can be here for a good time, and a long time, too. With 30 billion matches to date, Tinder® is the top free dating app, making it the place to meet new people. Whether you’re looking for love, need a date today, or just want to chat: We’ve got something for local singles everywhere, plus free features that give you the best dating experience possible.
*Information from the App Store
- Access to your photo gallery
You can upload photos of yourself from your photo gallery to your Tinder profile.
- Access to contacts (on the device)
Users cannot sync their contacts to their Tinder accounts.
- Anonymous posting (posting without a username or other identifiers)
There is no anonymous posting on Tinder. All photos are linked to a profile.
- Business Accounts (used for business)
Businesses do not use Tinder.
- Ability to text and video chat
When Tinder users match with each other, they have the option to message each other and video chat from the app.
- Cyberbullying opportunities
While cyberbullying isn’t common on Tinder, it can still happen in private chats.
- Inappropriate content
Users can include inappropriate images in their profile. Additionally, individuals can text inappropriate messages through the chat feature.
- Tinder upgrade (subscription)
There are three Tinder subscriptions: Tinder+®, Tinder Gold™, and Tinder Platinum™
- Collects user’s information
Tinder may collect data that is linked to your identity, including purchases, contact information, user content, usage data, diagnostics, location, contacts, identifiers, and sensitive info.
- Location dependent services
Tinder needs location information in order to connect users with other users in the same area.
Reviewed By: Ryan
Tinder is a dating app that uses location services to “match” you with individuals in your area based upon “swipes.” Swiping right on a person’s picture “likes” them and swiping left “dislikes” them. If a person you “liked” “likes” you back then you become a match. You can then open a chat box and message each other.
Users post creative bios on their profile and hope for a “match.” Using Tinder is pretty simple, which is likely a key to its success. Users must be aware of Scam Bot profiles that will attempt to install malware on their device. Meeting someone from a dating app in-person can have its risks, and dating crime rates are reflective of mobile dating apps.
While adults using Tinder can be aware of the risks and make decisions, I have concerns for safety, victimization, exposure to sexual content, predators, and emotional health for youth using Tinder or other apps like it. I spoke with a teen once who had over 600 “matches” on Tinder and had met a few of them in-person. We worked together and eventually decided that she should delete the app. I would not recommend Tinder for anyone under 18 years old.
If your teen is using Tinder, read this article for a few tips on talking to them about the app. Tinder has some good safety tips and resources on their webpage to assist in using the app safely. Have a discussion about digital dating as your child becomes curious about technology and relationships. While Tinder is currently the leader in dating apps, be aware of others youth could use.
Here is a partial current list along with a brief description from the app store. New ones will arise and old ones will fall:
- Facebook is planning to start their own dating platform and has started testing it in various locations.
- On Bumble, women have to make the first connection.
- OkCupid: “More than just a picture.”
- Grindr: “Gay social network and chat.”
- Feeld: “For Couples and Singles.”
- HER: “Lesbian LGBTQ Dating & Chat”
- HUD: “#1 Hookup App.”
- DOWN: “Flirt and Hookup.”