In this modern age, apps like Grindr have revolutionized dating and relationships, bringing new dynamics into the social fabric.
However, many parents may not be aware that such social networking sites are also available to teenagers. Which, in turn, potentially exposes them to risk.
In this article, we will explore ten apps like Grindr and discuss the parental control challenges that come with adult dating and social apps.
What is the Grindr app?
Grindr is a popular and functional dating application that focuses primarily on gays, bisexuals, transsexuals, queers, and others.
After its launch in the year 2009, the app has turned out to be one of the most comprehensive apps in relation to the members of the queer community. It is open to everybody in the LGBTQ+ community who is 18 years and above.
How does Grindr work?
It uses the GPS location of the user and shows the profile of other users who are near their set range.
This creates a chance to have frequent communication with more people in the same area. Here are the features of Grindr.
- Profiles consist of user information, user preferences, and user pictures.
- Users can simply swipe right on any one profile they desire and leave if they don’t prefer the profile.
- When two users attract each other, they can start to chat and exchange photos and messages.
- With this tool, users have the option to see profiles sorted by how far they are from each other.
- Grindr has social functions such as groups and events to let its users engage in community life.
- Users can join different types of tribes or subgroups of the LGBTQ+ community.
- There is privacy in that the user may change the icon of the application on their phone.
Risks of Grindr and its alternatives
Although, as parents, you may only know of Grindr as one of the many apps that are popular within this subculture, there are so many others out there.
These dating options have certain hazards, particularly for young people. Among them, the following are some of the most serious ones.
- Data sharing – Most dating apps get users’ personal details for things like location, photos, and messaging history. This data could be compromised or misused in some way, shape, or form.
- Location tracking – Tracking the user’s location continuously deprives his/her right to privacy and may be dangerous for children in particular.
- Hate speech – Users may come across some users who use abusive language, and it can be very detrimental to their health.
- Trolling and sensitization – Perverts could create fake accounts and pose as under-aged persons for mushing over young clients.
- Pornographic and vulgar content – Dating apps can be filled with pornographic or simply vulgar content that will definitely be uninteresting to the underage.
10 apps like Grindr parents must be aware of
Here are some of these apps, like Grindr, that you must be familiar with as a parent.
Apps like Grindr for LGBTQ+
1. Zoosk
Zoosk is a special dating application that provides services to different users, including people in the queer community. It has location-based matching like Grindr, but it is much less about casual sex as Grindr is, though.
Zoosk uses behavioral matchmaking technology that changes the users’ behavior to give them more suggestions.
Features:
- Behavioral matchmaking technology
- “Carousel” section for easy profile browsing
- Picture confirmation of profiles
- SmartPick personal matching system.
- Instant Messaging Platform as one of the App
Privacy: Like other serious hookup apps, Zoosk checks the authenticity of all the users’ pictures and, therefore, makes their community safer for users.
Target users: Single gay people and other members of the queer community
Age limit: 18+
2. eHarmony
eHarmony, as does most other dating sites, was not initially created for lgbtq+ members but has been adapted since. It is especially hospitable to gender-nonconforming users and provides a variety of gender identity settings.
While some apps like Grindr aim to get more hookups, eHarmony was designed for members who are ready to get into serious relationships.
Features:
- Extensive matching questionnaire
- Guided communication process
- “What If?” Section for searching possible partners
- Video date function
- Personality profile insights
Safety: Eharmony is safer because the company conducts background checks on the members and has features that ensure the user’s messages are controlled.
Target audience: all members of the queer community who are interested in long-term relationships.
Age limit: 18+
3. Archer
Archer underlines itself as the better option that will ensure closer and more profound communication between gay men. This website is aimed primarily at creating a friendly atmosphere for gay men who seek casual as well as serious relationships on the site.
Features:
- Admission questions to true change
- Feature to add that will allow one to call present for a virtual date.
- Interest-based matching
- Community events and meetups
- ‘Gentleman’s Code,’ for harmonious relations for the fairer sex.
Safety: Using Archer, one can allow others to verify their pictures, in addition to having strict policies within the community.
Interesting audience: single gay men in search of real partners/ friends.
Age limit: 18+
4. Her
Her is a special app like Grindr that is designed for lesbians, bisexual women and gender non-conforming people. The dating site also integrates characteristics of a social networking site, which has a focus on community.
Features:
- Swipe-based matching system
- Online groups and posts
- LGBTQ+ event listings
- News feed of communities
- A range of options with respect to gender and sexual orientation
Safety: Her is safer for its target audience because it has very strict community rules and insists on strict moderation.
Audience: lesbian, bisexual, trans* and non-binary women
Age limit: 18+
5. Scruff
Scruff is another dating and social media site, like Grindr, for gay, bisexual, and trans men. Nevertheless, Scruff can be distinguished due to the number of body types and the population of the queer community subgroups.
Features:
- Global grid of nearby users
- ‘Woof’ button to signal for interest without chatting.
- Scruff Match is the swipe function of this app.
- List of events for placing LGBTQ+ gatherings around the world.
- Closed albums to post pictures and other material in certain lists of friends
Security: Scruff has several precautionary measures, including using the user’s photo verification picture and following the rules of conduct of the general populace.
Audience: homosexual males and particularly the bear, cub, and other subgroups of the qwerty community.
Age limit: 18+
Grindr-like apps for straight people
1. Tinder
There are many other applications, like Grindr for straights, but Tinder is probably one of the most popular ones. Despite opportunities for all sexualities, it seems that straight people have taken over the platform as the most engaged users.
Features:
- The right swipe means like, while the left swipe is a pass.
- They can use the “Super Like” feature to express additional interest.
- In-app messaging once matched.
- Optional link to Instagram Account and Spotify profile.
- Tinder U for college students.
Safety: Tinder has implemented features such as photo verification and has also teamed up with safety applications like Moonlight.
Target audience: Primarily heterosexual people, but everyone is welcome
Age limit: 18+
2. Bumble
Bumble makes connections differently from similar apps like Grindr, where only women can message first in the matches.
This app is designed to create more decent and fair conditions than dating. This site is especially for straight people, but those from the gay community are welcome here.
Features:
- In straight matches, it is the woman who makes the first move.
- Within 24 hours of matching with the other person, one has to begin a conversation with the other person.
- Video and voice call options.
- Bumble BFF is for finding friends, and Bumble Bizz is for professional networking.
- Photo verification process.
- Snooze mode to pause the activity.
Safety: While using Bumble, all profiles are vigorously moderated, and there are ways to report any violation.
Target audience: mostly heterosexual people with some features for homosexuals
Age limit: 18+
3. Hinge
Hinge positions itself as “The Dating App, which is to be deleted” because of the understanding that people value meaningful connections. This popular dating app uses ranking with a preference and activity match algorithm integrated into it.
Features
- All included features describing the character are accompanied by the topics.
- “Most Compatible” feature for daily long recommended matches.
- Feature to add commentaries to commenting on some elements of a profile.
- “We Met” allows users to express how they feel after dating.
- Mistakes that are common on most people’s online profiles and prompts for more effective ones.
- The ‘Favorited’ section presents peculiar promising people.
Safety: Hinge has the convenience of having well-built profiles as well as a way of recognizing and reporting any misbehavior.
Target group: Anyone seeking a partner, particularly a marriage partner, but does not only include heterosexuals.
Age limit: 18+
4. Pure
Pure app markets itself in a way that can be done with less or no expectations, like how some people use Grindr most often.
It is for a quick, consensual randy which entails anonymity and quickness. The dating app also automatically deletes chats that are exchanged for one hour between the users.
Features:
- Limited activation of profiles, specifically being active for only one hour.
- Location-based matching.
- Very few details about the person can be expected.
- Self-destructing chats.
- Feature to blur or hide faces in images.
- No social media integration.
Safety: Apart from anonymity, Pure has basic safety options that include the reporting procedure.
Target demographic: Any mature person who is looking for a no-strings-attached hookup and/or dating.
Age limit: 18+
5. OkCupid
OkCupid is one of the most used dating apps nowadays among heterosexuals. Whereas most apps are just for causal relations like Grindr, OkCupid aims to match users with longtime partners.
Features:
- List of questions based on personalities to find the criterion of compatibility.
- Relative computations of percentage match with reference to inputs from the users
- The chance to see the answers of the potential matches
- A ‘’Double Take’’ design feature that simply slides.
- The “dealbreakers” button is geared towards eliminating comprised candidates.
Security: Security measures include verification of profile and the ability to report a user’s profile as unwanted.
Target audience: Mainly, people belong to the straight community, but gays, lesbians, bisexuals, etc, are also fit.
Age limit: 18+
How can parents protect kids from adult dating apps like Grindr?
Parents should and can be more careful in guarding their children from possible dangers that are embracing adult dating apps like Grindr.
They should monitor the usage of their children even if these children are only interested in applications floating in the market.
- Teach teenagers early – Make the facts about online dating known early enough so that teenagers do not indulge in the practice and persist in undesirable behavior.
- Be sincere and directive-free – You’d better not use sayings that have any inclination towards a given subject that may stop your kid from stating their pretext.
- Frequency – Always make it a habit to discuss their internet usage with the teens. Discuss with them the applications they installed, the people they met, and what they went through.
- Use of parental controls – Most of the devices possess parental control options to control your child and block certain applications or websites.
- Third-party parent control apps – Those third-party apps provide an added layer of monitoring to know when your child is using the dating app. The FlashGet Kids is a one-in-all parental control tool that can help you shield your kids from online dangers. With FlashGet Kids, you can:
- Supervise what your child is doing online and set a screen time limit to build device-free time.
- The app blocker allows you to limit access to adult apps that can expose your kid to inappropriate content.
- You will always know exactly where they physically are at any one point with its live location tracking.
- Also, it can help you monitor and screen mirror your child’s device and application usage from a distance. The usage reports show you details about their preferred apps, games, and websites.
- You can also use keyword detection to restrict your kids from searching for or chat any toxic things.
With those tips, while children can have fun on their phones in a positive way, parents can learn what their children are doing on the Internet. And prevent them from using adult dating apps and other unhealthy products.
Conclusion
With developing applications like Grindr dominating numerous spheres of internet dating, parents can no longer remain indifferent and remain ignorant.
As the platforms become popular, it is pivotal for parents to understand them, what risks are in them, and if there are ways to minimize them, then teens should be safe in virtual space.
The usage of technology offers the chance to control and observe how a child can get access to pornographic and other negative materials.
It is important to teach teenagers what is considered reasonable and appropriate on the World Wide Web so as to bolster them and equip them for the netwars.
