Using the internet to meet up with strangers is still dangerous as an adult. Officials in the UK report that the number of crimes in which a dating app was mentioned have increased, according to the BBC.
Figures show that the number of reported crimes has increased sevenfold times in the past two years. In all of these cases, dating apps were at the center of the confrontation. The crimes ranged from grooming to rape and attempted murder.
"The rising popularity of online dating apps and websites has contributed to an increase in the number of recorded crimes. I would urge those who use online dating apps to be as security conscious as possible and not to share personal data with anyone until they are sure about those they are communicating with." said Andy Cook, deputy chief constable of the National Police Chiefs' Council.
The two apps that were most heavily involved in these reported crimes were Tinder and Grindr, the Mirror reports.
The number of crimes reported in England and Wales in 2013 was 55. In 2014 the number jumped to 204, and in 2015 it jumped again to 412. Tinder was mentioned in police reports 277 times in 2015, and Grindr was mentioned 135. Both numbers were up exponentially from years prior.
Both Tinder and Grindr are urging people to be more caution when using their apps.
"People with bad intentions exist in coffee shops, bookstores, on social media and social apps," Tinder said in a statement, according to Sky News.
They also vowed to take the safety of its users seriously.
