Parents Beware - There's Now A Tinder For Teens!

The app called Yubo is being used as a tinder for teens and it’s raising more than a few eyebrows…

It’s being marketed as a way for teenagers to make friends, but social app Yubo is fast becoming a ‘tinder for teens’ with users as young as thirteen placing themselves at risk. Despite the recommended age for use set at 13-17, the app does little to monitor this, exposing teenagers to the dangers of the internet.

Nothing Innocent About It

While you may not have heard of Yubo, chances are your teen has, with more than 20 million users worldwide. Though they’ve recently added biometric age verification in an attempt to improve security, the app’s accessibility and lack of monitoring presents a real problem for parents, with users able to simply swipe left or right to connect with potential ‘friends’ and instantly chat.

The app was designed to allow Snapchat users to meet ‘friends’ in their local area, but given its similarity to many dating apps, it has quickly become something far more concerning, and police warn that it could be used by predators to lure children to meet in person.

Keep Talking

National eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, says that there are a few things parents can do to ensure their kids are safe online.

“Parents should be engaging in regular conversations with their children about online safety, and encourage critical reasoning skills,” she told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“(That way) they are aware of the risks of speaking to strangers online or sending images or videos they wouldn’t necessarily want others to see.”

Commissioner Grant went on to say that parents need to regularly check in with their teenager about their use of technology.

“Teens are programmed to push boundaries, so it is not uncommon to see them…find ways around restrictions.”

With the internet becoming increasingly accessible and harder to monitor, staying informed about the latest apps and social media trends is essential to ensure teens stay safe.

Does your teen use Yubo? Has your teen had a bad experience online? Share your story in the comments.

41 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 17 Aug 2023
    11:21 am
Thats just so insane. Sadly thats how people meet now. My eldest met her partner on a dating app.

- - Kylie said
  - 08 Nov 2020
    1:02 pm
Wow! The things that are created these days. Totally wrong.

- - mom268263 said
  - 31 Oct 2020
    3:02 pm
Big worry as we can see the issues with adults, and teens are so into tech and vulnerable, and platform owners buck pass and are not regulated or accountable.

- - mom111059 said
  - 05 Jul 2020
    5:46 pm
No No No that is not going to work well. What a crazy world.

- - mom101628 said
  - 16 May 2020
    11:33 pm
Oh how I wish the current and future parents luck with their teenage children in the future. At least I didn’t have to worry about all this

- - DaffyD said
  - 22 Apr 2020
    1:03 pm
My 2 aren’t at the phone stage yet, thankfully

- - rnash02 said
  - 05 Apr 2020
    12:23 am
I’m glad my kids are to young for phones

- - mom462038 said
  - 04 Apr 2020
    9:49 am
This is really scarey! Tinder for adults is dangerous enough with predators coming out in force. So they think it’s ok to gave one for teenagers?! Crazy stuff!! No way would my teenagers have my permission for access

- - mom160289 said
  - 03 Apr 2020
    9:05 pm
Definitely something I wouldn’t let my kids have. Talk to each other at school

- - rachel1970 said
  - 18 Mar 2020
    7:13 am
Oh no, I don’t like this at all. Make friends at school, through a sporting club, church or the like. This is a worry.

- - mom290396 said
  - 16 Mar 2020
    10:09 pm
What’s wrong with making friends in person? At school, or in a club or sports type thing? I’d not be happy with my child using an online app to make friends!

- - JungleHeatMama said
  - 16 Mar 2020
    9:50 pm
Never heard of this and now it’s just another app I must be mindful of.

- - Jennifer said
  - 16 Mar 2020
    8:24 pm
Thanks for the heads up !
Another site to keep an eye on.

- - littlehandsofmine said
  - 13 Mar 2020
    10:51 am
Oh my goodness…this is a bit muh

- - tessie said
  - 12 Mar 2020
    12:18 pm
This is just another site for paedophiles and predators to target young children. Sometimes I wish the internet hadn’t been invented because of the danger it presents to the young.

- - rovermum said
  - 11 Mar 2020
    2:42 pm
Teens ARE using Tinder! It’s so hard to keep up with new Apps. This just seems fraught with danger.

- - mom330666 said
  - 10 Mar 2020
    7:09 pm
Another app which shouldnt be even discovered or created.

- - serotonin said
  - 06 Jun 2019
    7:49 pm
My daughters aren’t old enough to be interested in this yet, but when they are I’ll be keeping a close eye on them. My son prefers learning about things that interest him or gaming online, not girls. He’s determined to get a career first then find a partner haha. He has a plan, something I never had.

- - mom206279 said
  - 31 Mar 2019
    10:29 pm
I’d say it should be taken down but what’s the point? 10 more will pop up in its place. Could they use it to identify and catch pervs?

- - mom19782016 said
  - 23 Mar 2019
    9:57 am
Who makes these awful apps??!!