Indian Women Find Online Dating Apps the Safest Way of Networking

Hyderabad: At least 46 per cent of Indian women claim dating apps to be the safer choice for networking and connecting with new people. In the digital space, the concept of safety is paramount, and with dating apps competing to outshine each other and secure their footing in the romance market, enhancing safety features is one of their primary focuses to attract more users. As per the statistics from the latest study by the Indian dating app QuackQuack, 3 out of 5 women reported feeling a positive impact of the healthy competition, as they increasingly benefit from the heightened security measures on online dating platforms.

Almost 7,500 women (ages 18 to 35) from Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities participated in the survey. Participants were primarily working professionals- IT sector, medical and healthcare, sales and marketing, and academia- with a small section of students and job seekers in transition.

QuackQuack's Founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, said, "We have seen a 12 per cent surge in female users in the last two years; that number reflects how women are flocking to digital dating platforms, leaving behind the traditional style of meeting in person. Our studies over the years have also shown women mentioning over and over again the safety and protection offered by dating apps to be the primary appeal- real-life encounters can not provide the security of safely chatting from behind a screen or the option to report an uncomfortable experience and get speedy action taken against it."

As many as 38 per cent of women from Tier 1 and 2 cities explained that dating apps offer in-platform and, importantly, immediate support addressing even the slightest misconduct. It makes online dating apps the safer choice when compared to dating IRL, where inappropriate behavior goes unchecked. Anushka (26) from Mumbai said, "I once had a poor experience with a man on a dating app; unfortunately, we live in a world where these experiences are rampant, but, fortunately, it was on a dating app, and the person's account was immediately banned for life within an hour of complaining. It is one of the main reasons I stick to dating apps, whether to meet new people in general or for dating."

At least 4 in 6 women between the ages of 18 and 28 said they favor dating apps for the user verification system; it thoroughly reduces the chances of fake profiles, the possibility of which is higher in any other social media platforms. 19-year-old Prapti, an engineering student, commented, "I use QuackQuack, and I had to go through a long verification process to set up my account. I find it reassuring to know that every other person has to do this; it reduces the likelihood of matching with malicious people." About 27 per cent of women above 30 revealed that they are drawn to dating apps not for the wider dating pool but for the added layer of safety offered by these forums.

Almost 29 per cent of women from Tier 2 and 3 cities noted that dating apps offer anonymity to Indian women, who otherwise struggle to take the lead in romantic endeavors, fearing judgment from society. These apps also offer autonomy over their networking and romantic experiences. Gurpreet (Amritsar) said, "Through dating apps, we have the flexibility to explore more matches than one without being called names. And we finally have the independence to choose and, more importantly, reject a match when things don't go well. There's no fear of negative repercussions or a match seeking retaliation because of a bruised ego."