The Trust Equation: Users, Companies, and Safety in the Online Dating World

Author

Hayley Solomon, CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeFollow

Date of Award

Fall 12-16-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Program of Study

Communication - Corporate Communication

Language

English

First Advisor

Caryn Medved

Second Advisor

Minna Logemann

Abstract

Digital dating platforms have become essential to modern-day relationship formation, yet concerns about user safety, harassment, deception, and accountability have intensified distrust, particularly among women. This study explores (1) how women’s personal experiences of danger shape their perceptions of dating apps’ trustworthiness, (2) how women explain the nature of trust and distrust in these digital environments, and (3) how communication professionals can design messages that promote safety and strengthen trust on dating platforms. Using a qualitative study design, four focus groups with three participants each were conducted with heterosexual cis-gender women aged 18–50 who had used Hinge, Tinder, or Bumble for at least one year. Thematic analysis revealed several patterns. First, participants’ trust was shaped by direct and secondhand experiences of risk, aligning with literature on stranger danger and digital harm. Participants described heightened vigilance, shaped by early learnings and reinforced by encounters with harassment and deception. Second, trust in dating apps is fragile and tied to platform responsiveness. Participants interpreted failures, unclear reporting, or tolerance of offenders as evidence that platforms prioritize growth. Third, participants articulated expectations for safety communication: proactive warnings, transparency, consistent follow-through, and accountability. The study offers guidance for communication professionals, emphasizing proactiveness, accountability, and safety messaging supported by action.

Recommended Citation

Solomon, Hayley, "The Trust Equation: Users, Companies, and Safety in the Online Dating World" (2025). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/bb_etds/215