New Guide Offers Expert Safety Tips for
Chatting with Matches, Meeting IRL, or Catching a Ride
DALLAS, Sept. 16,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Match Group, the parent
company of Tinder and Hinge, is teaming up with Uber and It's On
Us, the largest US nonprofit program in the U.S. dedicated to
college sexual assault prevention, to empower millions of students
across 2,000+ colleges and universities nationwide with information
on how to navigate the dating scene safely.
Together, they've created a new guide in consultation with
campus safety experts that highlights ways to date smarter and
safer on- and off-campus. The guide also highlights ways to
leverage app-specific tools like Verification and Reporting on
Tinder and Hinge, and how to Check Your Ride before getting into an
Uber.
"College is a time for new experiences and connections, and
dating apps often play a big role in that journey," said
Tasha Menaker, Senior Director of
Social Impact at Match Group. "At Match Group, our priority is
making sure that these connections are not only exciting but also
safe for everyone involved. We're proud to partner with Uber and
It's On Us to provide students with the knowledge they need to date
confidently and securely."
The goal is to arm students with the knowledge and tools they
need to stay safe and have the most positive dating experiences
possible — whether they're chatting with matches, meeting in
person, or catching a ride. New and returning students can snag
these guides from a local 'It's On Us' chapter, through a campus
ambassador, or online. Additional materials will be distributed
throughout the school year.
"At It's On Us, our priority is to ensure that all students are
able to pursue an education that is free from sexual violence,"
said Tracey Vitchers, Executive
Director of It's On Us. "For many young students, college is
the first time they will use dating apps or rideshare to connect
with potential romantic partners. It's critical that students are
provided with the knowledge and resources that will help them
safely and respectfully navigate their dating experiences from
online, to in real life."
"At Uber, safety is at the core of everything that we do, which
is why we've developed in-app safety features like Share My Trip,
Safety Preferences and Pin Verification, to give riders additional
peace of mind when they are on a trip," said Emilie Boman, Director of Safety Public Policy
at Uber. "Understanding that students have places to go, and
people to meet, we've partnered with Match Group and It's On Us, to
provide them with essential tips and information, empowering them
to feel secure wherever they travel."
This partnership is the latest in a series of initiatives aimed
at reaching college students. In 2020, Tinder partnered with 'It's
On Us' to launch the first-ever national tour providing sexual
assault prevention training for college students, by
college students. Tinder also recently rolled out Share My Date, a
feature that allows users to share their date plans—including
location, date, time, and a photo of their match—directly with
friends and loved ones from within the app up to 30 days in
advance. Match Group, Uber, and 'It's On Us' remain committed to
helping campuses foster a culture of safety and respect in every
interaction, both online and off.
About Match Group
Match Group (NASDAQ: MTCH), through
its portfolio companies, is a leading provider of digital
technologies designed to help people make meaningful connections.
Our global portfolio of brands includes Tinder®, Hinge®, Match®,
Meetic®, OkCupid®, Pairs™, PlentyOfFish®, Azar®, BLK®, and more,
each built to increase our users' likelihood of connecting with
others. Through our trusted brands, we provide tailored services to
meet the varying preferences of our users. Our services are
available in over 40 languages to our users all over the world.
About Uber
Uber's mission is to create opportunity
through movement. We started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how
do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 42
billion trips later, we're building products to get people closer
to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things
move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to
new possibilities.
About It's On Us
It's On Us is building the movement
to combat campus sexual assault by engaging all students, including
young men, through grassroots organizing, prevention education
programs, and large-scale culture change campaigns. Founded as an
initiative of the Obama-Biden White House, It's On Us has grown
into the nation's largest student organizing program dedicated to
college sexual assault prevention, activating students on hundreds
of campuses through awareness and education programs. It's On Us is
committed to shifting the culture around campus sexual assault
through partnerships with media and brands that engage with
millions of college students every day. It's On Us is an initiative
of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Learn more here.
Safe Dating Tips From Dating Apps to Meeting
In Person
Be So For Real: Use real, recent photos. Be honest in
your profile about what you're looking for and who you are. No one
wants to hang with a catfish unless it's at a lake. On dating apps,
users can get photo verified to help show other users that they are
who they claim to be.
Slide into DMs right: Got a match? Cool, but don't be
cringe. A cheesy line is fine to break the ice, but keep it chill
and respectful. Show your personality.
For your eyes only 👀: If your DMs get spicy, keep it
private. Sharing someone's intimate photos with friends or in group
chats is a no-go.
Don't assume the worst 🔮: If your match goes silent,
don't panic. They might be busy. Give them space before deciding
you've been ghosted.
From app to IRL: Before meeting up, make sure you verify
your account and we encourage you to match with others who have a
verified account. Video chat, phone call, or check their social
media to see if the vibe matches. If something feels off at any
point, cancel the date.
Plan your ride: Before leaving home, know how you plan to
get to and from your date. When using rideshare options, make sure
you check your ride details like license plate, car make, and
driver photo before getting in the car.
Coffee, Drinks or Dinner?: Finding a place on campus for
a first date can be tough. Your match wants to avoid popular spots
to prevent run-ins with friends, but you don't feel comfortable
heading over to their place. Respect each other's boundaries by
picking a venue you both feel good about.
Need a getaway driver?: If you feel unsafe or simply
don't hit it off with your match, it's okay to leave. You can ask a
friend to call you a ride. When taking an app-based ride, be sure
to check your ride before getting in the car and share your trip
details with friends.
Say nope to jerks and report 'em: If someone doesn't pass
the vibe check and makes you uncomfortable or unsafe, report them
back to the app.
Take the next step: If your date went well and you're
ready to take it to the next level, talk it out first. Know what
you both want, and remember, you can change your mind anytime.
Ready to delete the app?: Before you do, make sure your
match is on the same page about committing. If they're not, it's
cool.
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SOURCE Match Group