Swipe Left on Sexual Harassment: Understanding and Addressing Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence on Dating Apps.

This article examines the prevalence and correlates of technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) on geolocational dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble, and Grindr among university students at a large private institution in the southeastern United States. An anonymous survey of 910 undergraduates found that over half (54%) of dating app users reported experiencing some form of TFSV, with women and non-heterosexual students disproportionately affected. Grindr users, primarily sexual minority men, were significantly more likely to report TFSV compared to users of other apps. The study highlights the need for multi-sector interventions—including policy reforms, educational programs, and enhanced app safety measures—to address TFSV, particularly for cisgender heterosexual women and LGBTQ+ individuals, while emphasizing culturally sensitive approaches that consider intersecting identities.