Grindr Gay – Is Grindr Gay Harmful to Children?
Grindr is an internationally popular gay dating app designed to connect men to potential sexual partners. Available for both mobile and desktop computers, this dating platform enables men of both sexual orientations to find potential romantic matches. Users can browse profiles in their area and send messages or upload photos. Grindr can be downloaded for free; however some features require subscription.
While most users of Grindr are adults, children under the age of 18 have been victimized by underage predators on this app. One attorney specializing in protecting children online reports seeing over 20 cases involving boys aged under 18 being victimized on Grindr and similar services; she states it can be hard to monitor due to no age verification feature being implemented by its creators and therefore she plans on filing suits until such feature becomes mandatory.
An attorney representing underage victims of sexual predators says she has witnessed over 50 instances involving boys under 18 using Grindr and other hookup apps such as Tinder to find sexual partners. Although some incidents do go unreported, she thinks the actual number may be far higher due to many incidents going undetected by authorities. She wants the law changed so companies such as Grindr are required to verify a user’s age before permitting access.
Some experts contend that Grindr gay itself isn’t to blame; rather it is the way its users utilize it. As it’s easy to use and people often fail to take precautions such as checking other users’ profiles before meeting up, as well as homophobia and other forms of prejudices are likely playing a part. Homophobia plays a part in why so many LGBTQ youth are targeted on these apps – says Jack Turban of Stanford University who specializes in LGBTQ psychiatry; “it is essential to talk with young people about potential risks posed by these sites.”
Grindr has responded to safety concerns with a video campaign aimed at dispelling “misconceptions” about its user experience. As per a news release from Grindr, users can mute or block unwanted behavior while report reports are reviewed around-the-clock by an in-house team trained in LGBTI cultural sensitivities and content moderation. Grindr also boasts audio/video chatting features which may help those concerned with catfishing.
Grindr recently unveiled side as another sexual position option on its app for gay men looking for sexual partners, joining top and bottom as previously available options. Grindr claims this was in response to user demand – this marks the first time it’s offered this particular choice on its app.