Hinge Safety Settings & Secure Dating Tips

Hinge is a dating app that markets itself as “designed to be deleted,” promoting meaningful, long-term connections. With features like detailed profiles, prompts, and optional video chat, Hinge attracts users looking for more intentional dating. However, like all dating platforms, it carries risks, especially in the areas of privacy, age assurance, and romance scams.

This guide helps you navigate Hinge safely by breaking down its key settings, offering step-by-step setup instructions, and providing globally relevant safety advice.

 

 

Age Rating & Child Safety Warning

Age Rating: 18+

Why it’s not suitable for children: Hinge is an adult-only platform. It does not include age-specific protections, parental controls, or robust age verification tools. The app may expose younger users to adult content, inappropriate interactions, or predatory behaviour.

 

 

Restrictions Available

• Age Gate Verification – Users must confirm they are 18+, but there is no live age assurance technology.
• Limited Match Interaction – Only users who mutually like each other can exchange messages.
• Profile Reporting & Blocking – Users can report or block profiles directly from their interactions or match feed.
• No Anonymous Browsing – Hinge shows who liked your profile, which encourages transparency but may feel invasive to some.
• One Account per Device Policy – Multiple accounts on the same device are restricted to limit impersonation and spam.
• End-to-End Message Review (Non-Encrypted) – Hinge scans message content for abuse, hate speech, or harassment but does not offer true end-to-end encryption.

 

 

Safety Settings and Why They Matter and Tips

• Profile Visibility & Preferences

Why it matters: Controls who can view and interact with your profile.

Steps to set up:

1. Open the Hinge app and go to Settings.
2. Under Preferences, choose age, distance, religion, ethnicity, and more.
3. Disable Show Me on Discover to limit exposure.

 

• Report & Block Tools

Why it matters: Allows users to stop abusive or inappropriate behaviour quickly.

Steps to use:

1. Tap the three-dot menu on any profile or conversation.
2. Select Block or Report.
3. Choose the reason (e.g., scam, harassment, impersonation).

Tip: Add screenshots if reporting serious issues.

 

• Photo Moderation & Content Review

Why it matters: Ensures all images comply with platform guidelines.

How it works: Uploaded photos are automatically reviewed by AI.

Tip: Avoid uploading personal details in the background of your photos (e.g., addresses or work badges).

 

• Safety Tips Within the App

Why it matters: Offers users reminders about safe online and in-person dating practices.

How to access:

1. Tap Settings > Safety Centre.
2. Read guides on scam detection, safe meetups, and red flags.

 

 

How to Use the Platform Safely

• Set up strong preferences to filter for relevant matches.
• Keep personal info (address, employer, school) out of your profile.
• Don’t share your phone number or social accounts until trust is built.
• Stay within the app for messaging until you’ve verified identity.
• Use Hinge Video Chat for first conversations before meeting.

 

Essential Safety Advice for 2025

• Watch for love bombing—scammers often move quickly with flattery.
• Don’t send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
• Use reverse image search tools like Google Lens to check profile photos.
• Meet in public, well-lit spaces and tell someone where you’re going.
• Share your location with a trusted friend during the date.
• Take breaks if the app starts to feel emotionally overwhelming.

 

 

Concerns for Users as Highlighted in 2025

• Lack of Age Assurance: While age is required, Hinge doesn’t use biometric or official ID checks.
• Message Scanning, Not Encryption: Messages can be flagged but are not fully private.
• No Parental Controls: Makes underage use difficult to monitor without external tools.
• Scam Risk Still Exists: Romance scams, sextortion, and phishing attempts continue to affect adult users globally.

 

 

Why These Tools and Habits Matter

Even with built-in features, user behaviour is critical. Using reporting tools, setting up strong profile controls, and applying personal caution are your best defences.

These actions:

• Reduce scam risk
• Protect emotional wellbeing
• Set respectful standards
• Encourage platform accountability

 

 

Legal Compliance & Platform Support

• Ireland: Covered under the Online Safety Commissioner and future digital service laws.
• UK: Must meet requirements under the Online Safety Act (2025).
• USA: Overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for privacy and consumer protection.
• EU: Subject to GDPR and the Digital Services Act.

Users can escalate issues to these authorities if platform tools prove insufficient.

 

 

Further Reading

Hinge Safety Centre (2025) – In-app safety tools and support
https://hinge.co/safety

FTC – Romance Scams (2025) – How to spot and report dating scams
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-you-need-know-about-romance-scams

Ofcom – UK Online Safety Act (2025) – Online safety regulation
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/online-safety-act-2025

Online Safety Commissioner – Ireland (2025) – Platform oversight and guidance
https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/online-safety-commissioner/

 

 

Partner With Us For A Safer Digital World

At Children of the Digital Age, we believe digital safety is a human right, for everyone, at every age. Our work spans almost a decade, across generations, helping individuals, families, and professionals navigate the evolving challenges of the online world with clarity, support, and up-to-date expert guidance.

 

We provide independent, research-backed advice on digital privacy, online safety, responsible tech use, and the laws shaping the internet in Ireland, the UK, and globally. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, adult platform user, or simply someone who cares about digital well-being, this is your hub for trusted information.

 

We encourage you to:

• Follow our work, stay informed, and be part of a digitally safer future.
• Share our resources to help others benefit from expert safety advice.
• Support our mission to keep digital environments safe, inclusive, and age-appropriate.

Visit childrenofthedigitalage.org to explore our full range of safety guides and digital well-being tools. Together, let’s make the online world safer, one informed choice at a time.

 

 

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© 2025 Children of the Digital Age. All rights reserved. | Last Updated: August 2025