Online abuse or harassment when using dating apps affecting 3 out 4 Australians

Sexual harassment, aggression and violence victimisation among mobile dating app and website users in Australia by Australian Institute of Criminology
02 February 2023
Image Sourced from https://www.aic.gov.au/

The first national-level study called Sexual harassment, aggression and violence victimisation among mobile dating app and website users in Australia , has been conducted by  the Australian Institute of Criminology. 

The study conducted in 2022  has revealed that three in four app users surveyed had experienced online abuse or harassment when using dating apps. 

Over the past 10 years, the use of mobile dating apps and dating websites has increased exponentially. Especially in the  context of the COVID-19 pandemic. One dating app, Tinder, reported that since 2019 the number of ‘swipes’ and ‘matches’ has increased significantly on its platform, as has the number of messages being sent between users and the length of conversations.

Dating apps and dating websites create opportunities to develop and pursue social, romantic and/or sexual relationships both online and in the ‘real world’ 

Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV)—including being sent unsolicited sexual images, being called offensive names and experiencing image-based sexual abuse (IBSA)—is a common experience for people who use online spaces, particularly women and members of LGBT+ communities.

The study provides the first national-level Australian evidence of the prevalence of sexual harassment, aggression and violence victimisation among a sample of mobile dating app and website users. 

- CyberBeat

 

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