Swipe right on safety: Waterloo researchers create interactive safety map to help navigate dating app dangers

CTV’s Alexandra Holyk takes a look at an app developed by University of Waterloo researchers that could keep people safe in their quest for love.

A new interactive online map created by researchers at the University of Waterloo is guiding users through the safety risks of dating apps.

The Safety Map combines information from 30 of the most popular online dating apps — including Tinder, Hinge, Bumble and Grindr — and identifies potential areas of concern when it comes to safety and behaviour.

The map’s goal is to address concerns about harassment, boundary violation and safety in digital dating spaces as they increase in popularity.

“Dating apps are now a routine part of everyday leisure and social life, yet many users — particularly women and gender-diverse people — experience harassment, boundary violations and uncertainty about how to respond or where to seek support,” Diana Parry, a professor in UW’s faculty of health and lead researcher said in a news release. “Our work addresses that gap by making safety knowledge visible, practical and accessible.”

Researchers looked at community guidelines, terms of service, privacy policies and safety tips published on the apps’ websites. That information is then divided into categories including account creation, profile set-up, app use and safety features, which users can review and compare between apps.

The team said they hope to reduce harm online, which can range from unwanted pictures and videos, to mean comments, and in some cases, harassment.

“It really caters to people regardless of their experience and regardless of the features that they like or they don’t like,” said Any Mathura, a researcher with the Collaboratory on Digital Equity Research (CODER), which houses the tool.

The team also interviewed more than 45 dating app users across Canada on their experience, which helped inform the needs and requirements of the interactive map.

“The Safety Map translates lived experiences into a public-facing resource that helps users anticipate risks, identify supports and make informed decisions,” Parry said in the release. “It shifts safety away from something individuals are expected to figure out on their own to something that can be collectively understood.”

In an interview with CTV News, Parry said the tool can be used before users download dating apps or in tandem.

“We’re hoping that by raising awareness and by getting people to use it before they get started on the apps and while they’re using the apps, they can keep themselves more safe,” she said.

The Safety Map is designed for people of all ages, ethnicities, and sexual orientations — ensuring safety is only a swipe away.

“It’s not necessarily even about finding the safest app,” Parry said. “It’s about finding the app that’s the best fit for you.”