(NewsNation) – New research shows the safest (and dangerous) states for online dating, providing good news for those in Vermont and Maine and not-so-good news for those in Nevada and Alaska.
Dating apps like Tinder and Hinge have become the norm for meeting partners, but the risks can be much greater than those of a disappointing date.
A recent study by security website Privacy Journal looked at several risk factors related to online dating, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), registered sex offenders, violent crimes, romance scams, identity theft, and other types of fraud.
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The study used data from the FBI, the Federal Trade Commission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Census Bureau.
The researchers then crunched some numbers to determine the rate of each risk factor per 100,000 people and ranked each state accordingly.
The study identified the following 10 states as the safest, as online daters in these places were least likely to have to worry about violence, STDs, or being tricked and scammed.
Meanwhile, those in Nevada, Alaska, Georgia and Florida had the highest risks when trying to find a partner online, according to the study. Below are the other states considered most dangerous:
In addition to fraud, in which victims are asked for cash or details that would allow their identity to be stolen, predators have used dating apps in the past. There have been multiple cases of men using online dating apps to find women to sexually assault or kill.
Accused Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann is alleged to have used Tinder to try to connect with women. Heuermann is awaiting trial for the murder of four women, all sex workers, whose remains were found on Gilgo Beach in New York.
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Of course, dating apps can’t be blamed for violence against women. Historically, infamous male killers like Ted Bundy have met women in bars or other situations, and picked them up not to date them, but to commit violence against them.
And like offline dating, apps offer options for success as well as risks: 1 in 4 couples say they met through apps.
For those looking for love online, safety precautions include declining requests for money, being wary of people who are reluctant to meet in person in a public place, sharing information and networking with a friend when meeting someone for the first time. . and not reveal private information such as your address until after the meeting.
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