The combined statistic covers four experiences
Pew asked whether users received unwanted sexual messages or images. It also asked about continued contact after they said no, offensive names, and threats of physical harm.
Thirty-eight percent reported unwanted sexual content. Thirty percent reported continued contact. Twenty-four percent reported offensive names. Six percent reported threats. People could report more than one experience, so do not add the percentages.
Women under 50 reported substantially more exposure
Among women under 50 who had used online dating, 66% reported at least one measured behavior. Fifty-six percent reported unwanted sexual content. Forty-three percent reported continued contact. Thirty-seven percent reported an offensive name. Eleven percent reported a physical threat.
The survey asks whether an event ever happened. It does not show frequency, severity, platform, or date.
The result is not the risk for each profile
Forty-eight percent of users reporting an experience does not mean 48% of matches or profiles were responsible. One bad actor can contact many people, and one user can have multiple incidents.
For safety decisions, pair population statistics with platform reporting tools, public-location first meetings, and independent identity checks where appropriate.