Refuge's Tech Safety Newsletter Feb 2024
Online Dating Safety
LOVE BOUND OR LOVE BOMBED?!
Information provided by National Domestic Abuse Helpline Tech Lead
Like it or loathe it – Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and cuffing season is drawing to a close. With the weather improving and days getting longer, individuals look to end their seasonal relationships ready for the summer. This however doesn’t mean people will stop using the online dating offerings, instead, these platforms continue to attract millions of users across the globe as people continue to turn to online dating in the hope of making new connections. Research by Ofcom shows that in May 2023 11% of adults visited an online dating service (Nolan, S. 2023). The pandemic led to a surge in popularity of online dating, as making connections socially became near impossible during the lockdown and this popularity has continued since.
There are vast online dating options for users, and although popular general apps are making changes to cater for all individuals and what they may be looking for, there are also apps specifically catering to individuals looking to make connections with like-minded others. Vegan dating, dog lovers and so on… There’s a niche app for that!
Whilst we acknowledge that we have brilliant digital tools out there to help us form connections, not everyone using these platforms have the best intentions, from Romance Scams to abusive behaviours like Love Bombing and Harassment. Survivors of domestic abuse deserve to find love just like anybody else and it is vital they are able to find love, but in a safe environment.
If you are working with someone and concerns are raised regarding their technology or for what they are experiencing online, it is important to consider their engagement with online dating and safety within these platforms. It is also essential to be sure that your account and devices accessing these are secure because no one wants their private and intimate conversations accessed by anyone else.
Individuals will need to share an amount of personal information and will often be encouraged to share more than what is necessary, and it is important to be mindful of the information we are sharing with a “room full” of complete strangers. Whether you’re a professional working in the VAWG sector, a survivor, or an individual concerned with online dating, here are some tips to help make dating online that little bit safer:
Limit the personal information you are sharing on your profile, think about whether you would be happy to share this with someone you are sat next to on public transport
Avoid connecting your social media accounts to your online dating platform, because we might share content and information on our socials that go beyond what we are comfortable sharing with potential love interests
Consider using a separate email for any online dating accounts, if someone gathers access to our dating account or connected email it will limit access to other account that contain further information we may not wish to share
Use a new, strong and secure password for each online dating account created, its important this is not guessable by anyone else
Review the privacy and security settings for each app. This might look like turning on 2FA to prevent other users logging in, or setting location manually to stop someone knowing exactly where you live
Consider information shared in each image you post – are family or friends in the image? Does this link back to social media profiles giving away more information? Is it obvious from your picture where it was taken? Are you giving away information about your location?
Use platforms tools to report any harassment or abusive content and block any users as necessary.
The Refuge Tech Safety website offers tips to secure online dating accounts within our Digital Breakup tool. Support can also be found by calling the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
Keep an eye out on our tech safety website for future guide releases around online dating platforms to support individuals take steps to manage privacy and security settings.
1. Nolan, S. (2023) Online nation - 2023 report - ofcom. Available at: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0029/272288/online-nation-2023-report.pdf (Accessed: 23 January 2024).
Terminology:
Love bombing: when someone showers you with attention and affection with the intention of manipulating you.
Ghosting: When someone, without any warning or explanation suddenly cuts off all communication with you.
Cuffing Season: The period where seasonal relationships occur in order to avoid cold winter nights alone.
Breadcrumbing: When someone sends lots of flirty messages (trail of breadcrumbs), creating an appetite for more but with no intention to meet in person.
Catfishing: When someone is pretending to be someone else – watch the TV show!
Kittenfishing: When someone is dishonest about themselves on their profiles in order to look more positive, perhaps using old photographs where they feel they look better for example
Freckling: When someone is not looking for something serious and just looking for a casual connection during the summer season.
Roaching: When someone is dating multiple partners but hiding this from you
Independent Review of Pornography
Jessica Eagelton - Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Research
The government has launched an independent review of the pornography industry.
Whilst the Online Safety Act will introduce measures to ensure online pornography sites use effective age verification to prevent children encountering pornography on their platforms, many organisations in the VAWG and children’s sector urged government to go further to address the harmful impacts of pornography on users and wider societal views on misogyny and sexual violence. The review will assess the regulation of the pornography industry, as well as legislation and enforcement of illegal pornographic content.
Baroness Gabby Bertin has been appointed as independent lead reviewer, bringing expertise in tackling violence against women and girls. Refuge and other VAWG organisations have met with Baroness Bertin. A public call for evidence is open until 7 March 2024.
Safer Internet Day
Najad Osman Technology- Facilitated Abuse Training Lead
The 6th of February marks Safer Internet Day 2024, the UK’s annual celebration of online safety for young people. Safer Internet Day sees thousands of organisations across the country, co-ordinated by the UK Safer Internet Centre, work together to centre the voices of young people in making the internet a positive and safer place.
Focusing on the rapidly changing digital landscape young people are growing up in, the theme for this year’s Safer Internet Day is:
‘Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online’
This year’s Safer Internet Day centres around changes online including:
Young people’s perspective on new and emerging technology
Using the internet to make change for the better
The changes young people want to see online
The things that can influence and change the way young people think, feel and act online and offline.
In the last 15 years, technology has become increasingly woven into the fabric of our lives. Things that would have been unimaginable in the late 2000’s, like opening your smartphone with biometric data or using 5G to download a full-length HD movie in seconds, have become commonplace in our daily lives.
From deepfake pictures of politicians to virtual-reality gaming, emerging technologies have turbo-charged the way young people experience the internet. Artificial intelligence has rapidly advanced in recent years, with humanlike machine-learning models like ChatGPT being regularly used for everything from general queries to writing poetry and planning parties!
While many recent developments in the world of tech have reformed the way we live for the better, new and emerging technologies have also brought their own set of challenges. Social media, gaming and tech have become a key feature in the life of young people, with much of what takes place on these platforms spilling into the ‘real world’, having a serious negative impact in young people’s lives.
But it isn’t all doom and gloom! Changes in technology have had many positive benefits too. The internet and social media have radically changed the way society engages with everything from politics to social justice issues – with some monumental campaigns in recent years leading to huge progress globally. Advancements in assistive technology have also revolutionised how people with disabilities or additional needs live, helping in everyday activities like education, employment, and socialising.
Changes in the world of technology have meant that most areas of life have been transformed – with a lot of the changes being for the better. This year’s Safer Internet Day brings these incredible changes into focus but also makes us consider how we can work together to make the internet a safer place for all.
What can you do to make the internet a safer place for young people?
Create safe spaces for support –
The internet can be a scary place – for both adults and young people. Creating safe spaces for conversation is important so that young people feel that they can reach out for help and support, without the fear of judgment or getting into trouble. For support with those difficult conversations, there are guides and resources available to help online.
Educate young people (and yourself!) –
Technology is rapidly evolving and can be confusing. Encourage young people to understand how social media platforms, gaming and technology works, so they feel empowered to keep themselves safe online. If you are supporting a young person, stay up to date with changes online so that you can support them to use the internet safely and responsibly.
And, finally – keep the conversation going.
Safer Internet Day only lasts one day of the year, but making the internet a safer place for all doesn’t end there. Keep the conversation going throughout the year by campaigning, learning, and working to make the online world a great place to grow up, for young people now and in the future.
Happy Safer Internet Day – Bring on 2024!
For more information on Safer Internet Day, check out the UK Safer Internet Centre website.