Updated: May 29, 2024 / 01:35 PM CDT
(Getty Images)
(Truth Voices) — New research reveals the safest and most dangerous states for online dating, bringing positive news for residents in Vermont and Maine, but less favorable for those in Nevada and Alaska.
Dating apps such as Tinder and Hinge have become commonplace for meeting partners today, but the risks extend beyond a bad date. Researchers considered reports of romance scams, fraud, registered sex offenders, STIs, and violent crime.
The safest states include Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, and Kentucky, where online daters face fewer threats of violence, STIs, scams, and catfishing. In contrast, Nevada, Alaska, Georgia, and Florida pose higher risks for online daters.
Aside from fraud involving victims being tricked for money or personal information, predators have also exploited dating apps. There have been several incidents of men using dating apps to locate women to sexually assault or murder.
Accused Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann is alleged to have used Tinder to seek out women. Heuermann awaits trial for the murders of four women, all sex workers, whose bodies were discovered along Gilgo Beach in New York.
It’s crucial to note that dating apps aren’t solely responsible for violence against women. Infamous killers like Ted Bundy historically met women in bars or other settings, targeting them for violence rather than dating.
Just like offline dating, apps present opportunities for success and risks alike, with one in four couples claiming they met through apps.
For those seeking love online, safety tips include rejecting requests for money, being cautious of individuals who avoid meeting in a public place, sharing details with a friend for check-ins when meeting someone new, and withholding private information like your address until after meeting.
