Norton Online Dating Risks Report: Dating in a Digital Era Germany
January 2016
Methodology • A quantitative survey was conducted online among a total of 3,038 young mobile users aged 18-34 years in the UK, Germany and France who owned an internet-capable mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet • Survey conducted by independent research firm Reputation Leaders between 17 and 26 August 2015 • Respondents were screened, and data was weighted to equally balance gender and ensure a nationally representative population by region • Margin of error for the 3 markets combined = +/- 1.8%
Online daters are most likely to lie about their weight, income and physical appearance Weight
43%
Income
40%
Physical appearance
36%
Interests/hobbies
34%
Personality
33%
His/her job
29%
Where he/she lives Height
28% 27%
Pet ownership
22%
Relationship status or children
22%
Likelihood of misrepresenting attributes German men are more likely to lie about all attributes, especially if it’s to do with income or where they live. Younger online daters in Germany (aged 18-24) are more likely to misrepresent their interests and hobbies. Those aged 25-34 are more likely to misrepresent their income. Brits are the worst of the three nations – they are more likely to lie on all attributes except income (where Germans come top).
Nearly one-quarter of online daters have been a victim of “Catfishing”* I found their profile image I found outout their profile image was of someone was of someone else else
47%
They wouln't meet upup with me They wouldn't meet with me in person in person
40%
They wouldn't me They wouldn't talk totalk metoon on the phone the phone
35%
They wouldn't use a webcam/ They wouldn't use a video chat webcam/video chat I investigated details in their profile I investigated details in their and found they were untrue profile and found they were…
It seemed tootoo good toto bebetrue It seemed good true
33%
23%
online daters say they have been a victim of catfishing, and it’s more likely to be men (28%) than women (17%)
Nearly one-third of online daters have been asked for money or financial help, and men are more of a target…
£ 37% 30% 22%
Total
Male
Female
26%
18 - 24
32%
£
25 - 34
Those who have been asked for money or other financial help on online dating platforms, such as a request to wire money or to cash a cheque on behalf of someone else
of online daters who have sent suggestive, semi-nude or nude photos of themselves to someone online have been threatened with the public release of those images
“Revenge porn” is when suggestive or sexually explicit photos or videos are released without individual consent. This tactic is used by mal-doers (including scammers, cybercriminals, cyberbullies and blackmailers) to bribe, humiliate or intimidate the victim.
13
Online daters can’t always trust the person they’re talking to….
