Online dating safety: what people say

The short answer

Here is what the sources show

In July 2022, Pew asked U.S. adults about online dating. Forty-eight percent said it was very or somewhat safe. Forty-nine percent said it was not too safe or not at all safe. This measures views about safety, not the chance of a specific harm.

48%: said online dating was safe
49%: said it was not safe
60%: supported required background checks

Research articleUpdated Jul 21, 20264 min readBy The Pool Report Research Desk

See what U.S. adults said about dating-app safety. Read about unwanted behavior and suspected scams. Review support for background checks.

Perception is divided

Pew's July 2022 survey found no broad public agreement about safety. The share calling online dating safe fell from 53% in Pew's 2019 study to 48% in 2022.

People who had used online dating were more likely to call it safe. The figures were 67% for users and 41% for nonusers.

Women expressed more concern

Fifty-seven percent of women said dating sites and apps were not a safe way to meet people. Among users, women were also more likely than men to say the platforms were unsafe, 41% versus 23%.

A perception question does not measure the probability of a specific incident. The report separately asked users about unwanted behaviors and suspected scammers.

Background checks had broad—but not universal—support

Six in ten adults said dating companies should require background checks before a person creates a profile. Fifteen percent opposed the idea and 24% were unsure.

Support was lower among people who had actually used online dating, showing why an overall public percentage should not be presented as unanimous user demand.

Where this comes from

Sources we checked

Read the original sources behind these numbers. They show the group, date, and measure used.

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Pew Research Center
From Looking for Love to Swiping the Field
National survey designed to represent U.S. adults: 6,034 people surveyed July 5–17, 2022, with definitions and tables for smaller groups.
Checked July 22, 2026
Read the original source ↗

Common questions

Are these numbers current dating-app user counts?

No. They are survey estimates from Pew’s July 2022 survey, published in 2023. They measure what U.S. adults reported, not live accounts or monthly active users.

Do most Americans think dating apps are safe?

No clear majority did. Pew reported 48% saying safe and 49% saying not safe in July 2022.

Do background checks eliminate dating risk?

No. A background check can miss unreported behavior, mistaken identities, and new misconduct. It is one possible safeguard, not a guarantee.