Is your teen using the Plenty of Fish app: Safety tips for parents

In the world of online dating, the Plenty of Fish app manages to separate itself as one of the most explored platforms. It has more than 150 million users worldwide making it possible to meet their potential partners. However, the safety concerns reports indicate that approximately 1 in 10 users have faced privacy and security issues while using such dating apps.

No matter whether have just signed up for the application or you were trying to switch from some of the other dating websites to Plenty of Fish. It’s important to learn certain attributes and security features of this application. In this article, you will found a detailed analysis of this app, comparison with other dating app and also safety concerts regarding teens.

About the Plenty of Fish app

The Plenty of Fish is a well-known online dating app that helps people in finding their desired partners.

Plenty of Fish originated in 2003 and is a subsidiary of Match Group which also includes Tinder OkCupid and Match.com. It earns the users’ trust for its ability and effectiveness when it comes to encouraging people who want to find relationships.

POF has gained immense popularity in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. The reason is that it offers personality quizzes and matchmaking constituents which aid you in searching for partners who are compatible in terms of ambitions or activities involvement. Thus, these extra characteristics combined with Worldwide appeal make Plenty of Fish one of the best options in a saturated market of online dating.

Furthermore, the youth prefer Plenty of Fish, but it is equally popular across all ages. Other apps such as Tinder and Bumble, provide you with just short-term relationships. POF offers you two options either to start a casual relationship with someone or want a meaningful long-term engagement. The clean interface of the site and the variety of its users allow older users (30-40 age group) to feel quite comfortable searching for people with the same interests.

Features of Plenty of Fish app

• Meet me: It enables you to view the profiles of other members and express your willingness by clicking ‘Yes or No’. If both users wish for it, then they become a match.
• Online dtatus: You can also check the status of other users whether they are active and available for chatting.
• Favourites list: It also allows you to add some profiles to your favourites list to access them later.
• Live streaming: POF allows you to stream live and engage with others via comments (not on camera). This allows users to participate in virtual events and live video streams in real time.
• Nearby matches: It helps you locate viewable individuals situated at a short range from you. Thus, it is good for day and night outings.
• Search filters: You can also include factors such as age, geographical position, preferences and purposes concerning the anticipated partner.
• Matching algorithms: POF employs comprehensive matching mechanisms to present combination suggestion views that suit you according to your usage record and preferences within the app.
• Messaging and chat: The platform has a provision for private messaging where you can send text messages, and voice notes to your matches.
• Relationship chemistry predictor: POF even provides you with a compatibility predictor which tests several factors in order to predict the chemistry between you and another person.

Pricing options

Plent of Fish app offers both free and paid packages, so let’s have a look at their pricing plan!

Privacy concerns on POF app

This app ponders considerable importance to your personal information and makes efforts to keep it safe. It is upon you to decide the information to be included in your profile. The mobile application is secured by encrypting confidential information. The application also allows you to block or report any other user who misbehaves.

POF gets assurance from users that their information will not be forwarded to any third parties, apart from legal issues that require to be disclosed, without the user’s permission.

How to set up Plenty of Fish app on mobile?

If you want to set up the Plenty of Fish app on your mobile, then simply follow the below-mentioned guidelines:

Step 1: First of all, you need to download and install the Plenty of Fish app on your mobile. You can download this in APK from their official website or from play store either on Android or iOS.

Step 2: Create an account

1. Now, open the app and click on the Create an account option.
2. First, you need to enter your name and click on Let’s Go.
3. You need to choose your gender, you can also select whether you want to hide gender on your profile or not.
4. Finish answering the signup questionnaire which asks for your location, and birthday. Then you will be asked to enable location to find a partner near you.
5. Now, you will have to enter your email address, username and password.
6. Afterwards, you will need to put in the phone number you registered your account with. You will receive a code that you will use to confirm the verification. That’s it.

Step 3: Now, write down about yourself including your interests, what kind of relationship you want and what describes you better. You can even change the age and distance of the potential matcher by changing your preferences.

Step 4: Now, you can log in to your account whenever you want to, just using the email address and the password.

Always remember to keep your password in a safe place, and turn on any security features such as 2-factor identification where such is applicable.

Can I browse POF profiles without registering?

No, it’s not possible. Many features, including the ability to view profiles on Plenty of Fish, cannot be accessed unless the registration is completed first. If you wish to search POF profiles, you must have an account. Here, we’ll discuss the reasons behind it, so, be with us!

Why do people want to search POF profiles without an account?

Some people do so to avoid any possible exposure of their identity. They may also want to ascertain the compatibility of the platform with their expectations before giving out any personal information.

Why to register on POF?

Security and privacy: Registration is essential to make sure that all users who wish to join the network are genuine to reduce instances of fake persons as well as spam. This provides a healthy environment for all users of the platform.

Access to features: It allows you to have full use of resources available on POF platform such as instant messaging, search settings and visibility of user profiles. If you do not have an account, you will not be able to use these features.

Personalization: Registration at POF enables you to receive special offers and selectable matches. Since potential dates will be based on your preferences and behaviors on the dating site.

Registration requirements

First of all, you must be 18 years old or above. If you are, the just visit POF website or open play store to get this app. And create an account by filling questionnaire.

Then proceed to verify your number in order to complete the registration process. After that, you will start browsing Plenty of fish profiles and communicating with its members.

Differences between Plenty of Fish and other dating apps

Does your teen use Plenty of Fish or other dating app?

If you doubt that your teens are using Plenty of Fish or other dating apps. Then, it’s an alarming situation as dating apps focus mostly on interactions with adults and include mature content. Thus, there is a need to find out more about these apps. Let’s explore the appropriateness of dating apps for better understanding!

There are dating apps like POF whose target audience is 18+ years old people. So, for teenagers, who might be using such applications, this poses a number of dangers which include the following:

• Privacy issues: It is common for some individuals to share personal details that others may misuse.
• Online predators: Since dating apps include a wider number of users, so, there’s a possibility of coming in contact with people with ill motives.
• Inappropriate content: Other users may post explicit content which exploits the younger minds.

How to protect teens from 18+ dating apps?

Here, we are going to discuss some measures which you can undertake to prevent your adolescent from using such adult applications like dating apps.

Monitor app usage

One of the most effective ways is to routinely monitor the applications present on your child’s cell phone. It keeps you updated about the applications they are utilizing.

Enable device app limiting features

You may also use the restrictions found in tablets, smartphones, gaming consoles and other web applications. These restrictions can help prevent the use and seeking of unsuitable for age apps. They assist in controlling what the adolescent sees and downloads.

Open communication regarding online safety

You have to give time to your kids and brief them on the appropriate usage of apps. You have to tell them that the inappropriate apps might expose them to risks.

Employ parental control apps

Lastly, you can use third-party parental control softwares to ensure the online safety of your kids. When we talk about parental control app, the very first option which comes to our mind is FlashGet Kids. So, lets explore its features for better understanding about this app!

FlashGet Kids: A parental control app

FlashGet Kids is highly reliable third-party software sepcially designed to protect kids from internet toxicity.

Key features

App blocker: Owing to this feature, you can block those apps containing inappropriate content like dating apps. Thus, it restricts the kids from using such apps and ensures a healthy environment.

Usage report: It provides you detailed information about your kids phone usage. Like it will inform you what types of apps are used by your kids and how much time they spend on specific applications.

Keyword detection: FlashGet Kids allows you to customize the keywords related to inappropriate content. So, if your kids try to browse content containing such keywords, it would instantly alert you.

Notifications and alerts: This feature enables you to follow up on any new app installation/deletion and modifications on your child’s gadget. For instance, it will instantly if your kids have downloaded any new applications. Moreover, its notification syncing feature allows you to see incoming messages on your kid’s mobile. Thus it enables you to know to whom your kids are chatting on dating apps.

Real-time screen mirroring: Owing to this feature, you will see your kids online activities in real time. For instance what types of apps they are using or anything else. As your kids device screen is mirrored on your mobile.

Concluding remarks

To put it briefly, we can say that Plenty of Fish (POF) is one of the most pronounced dating applications in the market due to its advanced features and great pool of users. Unlike Tinder, Bumble, or Zoosk, POF includes much more of profile details and a search filter allowing users of different ages to find a suitable partner.

However, parents should always have control over their little ones in these matters. Cyber awareness and the conversations about online life with your teenager can help you protect them from the hazards of online dating. Moreover, FlashGet Kids parental control app is a one-stop solution to ensure a healthy digital environment for your kids.