Dating at 50+: Study details what older Americans say about online dating
Dating over 50 can be overwhelming, especially if you haven’t done it in a while. The dating landscape has changed from organic meetups to swiping and algorithms, which can feel more like a job than something enjoyable. And although online dating is the most popular way to meet someone now, most Americans over 50 aren’t hopping on the bandwagon, according to a study from Pew Research Center.
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Most Singles Over 50 Aren’t Turning to Online Dating
Online dating has been around since the 90s, but today, it isn’t very popular among Americans 50 and older — only 17% claim to have used a dating site or app. To break it down further, less than a quarter (23%) of adults in their 50s have ever used an online dating platform, compared to 14% of adults in their 60s and 12% in their 70s. Additionally, only 3% of those 50 and older are currently using online dating platforms or have used them within the past year.
Regarding adults 50 and older who are married or in a committed relationship, only 6% said they met their partner via online dating.
The Apps Over-50 Daters Use the Most
Although there are countless dating apps and sites available, there are a few that rise above for older users.
Launched in 1995, Match is the most popular dating app among those 50 and older, with 50% having used it. Fifty-three percent of adults aged 50-59 claim to have used Match, while 51% of those in their 60s and 41% of those in their 70s have.
The second-most popular dating app among older adults is eHarmony, which was launched in 2000. Of those in their 50s, a little over one-fourth have used it, compared to 30% in their 60s and 38% in their 70s.
Tinder, launched in 2012, ranks as the third most popular dating app among those 50 and older. However, only about 1 in 5 people in their 50s say they’ve used it. Usage drops even more with age. Just 6% of those 60 to 69 report using it, and only 1% of those in their 70s do.
OKCupid, launched in 2003, has slightly more users in their 60s and 70s than Tinder does. However, for those in their 50s, Tinder is slightly more popular than OKCupid.
What Motivates People 50 and Over to Use Online Dating Tools?
Many people 50 and older (49%) use dating apps and sites to meet a long-term spouse or significant other. However, 26% use online dating tools to date casually, while slightly less (22%) use them with the goal of casual sex. As far as meeting new friends, 30% of older Americans use online dating apps and sites to do so.
Dating Site & App Experiences of Older Men Vs. Women
Unfortunately, not everyone has a wonderful experience when using dating sites or apps.
Men 50 and older are more likely to report “somewhat positive” or “very positive” dating site and app experiences than women in the same age bracket. For example, 44% of older men reported “somewhat positive” experiences, compared to 27% of older women. Similarly, 27% of older men reported “very positive” experiences, compared to 15% of older women.
On the flip side, older women were more likely to say their dating site and app experiences have been “somewhat negative” or “very negative” than older men: 57% versus 38%.
Paying for Dating Sites or Apps
Dating sites and apps, such as Match and Tinder, offer free, limited versions, which are sufficient for the majority of online daters, according to the study. However, older men are the most likely to pay for the use of these tools.
Half of men ages 50-64 have paid to use dating sites or apps, compared to 38% of women in the same age bracket. Among men 65 and older, 57% have paid to use dating sites or apps, compared to 35% of women of the same age.
Scamming Can Be a Problem on Dating Sites or Apps
One drawback of using online dating platforms is the possibility of encountering scammers.
According to the study, 47% of older people who use dating sites or apps admit to having an encounter with a scammer. However, the risk seems to decrease with age. Those ages 50-64 are 13 percentage points more likely to have an experience with a scammer than those 65 and older.
Unwanted Responses Are Also a Drawback
Pros and cons exist when using online dating platforms, and unwanted responses go in the cons category. Forty-five percent of those ages 50 and older reported experiencing the following unwanted behaviors:
- Received sexually explicit content they didn’t ask for: 33%
- Experienced continued contact after expressing disinterest: 26%
- Were called an offensive name: 17%
- Were threatened with physical harm: 4%
Among users ages 50-64, women were more likely than men to have experienced at least one of these unwanted behaviors. However, no gender differences were noted among users 65 and older.
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