Tinder Restricts App to Users 18 or Above

Josh Luckenbaugh | June 9, 2016
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In a move bound to disappoint teenagers worldwide, the dating app Tinder announced that it will begin restricting access to users ages 18 or above.

Tinder released an official statement outlining the decision:

“On a platform that has facilitated over 11 billion connections, we have the responsibility of constantly assessing our different user experiences. Consistent with this responsibility, we have decided to discontinue service for under 18 users. We believe this is the best policy moving forward. This change will take effect next week.”

Since its inception, the popular app has been available to anyone as young as 13, although users 17 or below could not interact with anyone older than them. According to Tinder personnel, the 13-17-year-old demographic made up just three percent of its user base.

“We’ve been reviewing this policy since early this year and believe it’s the right thing to do,” Tinder Vice President of Communications Rosette Pambakian told TechCrunch. “A number of factors go into making a decision like this, but we’re confident we landed on the right policy.”

While many parents will certainly agree with Pambakian, I highly doubt younger consumers will see eye-to-eye with her on this situation.

With Tinder closed off to them, one wonders where minors will go to flirt with each other. They may have to resort to talking to each other in person or using their smartphones as phones and call one another. Oh, the horror!

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