Navigating Safety in Digital Spaces: Mobile Dating App Use Among MSM Communities

Mobile dating apps have transformed how men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States find partners, offering convenience but also raising unique safety risks. This qualitative study explores the perceptions of 18 self-identified MSM users, aged 18–56, residing primarily in New York, with participants also from Washington, California, New Jersey, and Florida. Employing an integrated approach methodology with open-ended survey questions, this research identifies key themes, including concerns about deceptive practices, criminal activities, erratic behaviors, substance use, mental health challenges, and meeting in unfamiliar environments. Findings highlight how MSM navigate these risks and adopt protective strategies such as profile screening and cautious offline meeting practices. This study underscores the compounded vulnerabilities MSM face due to societal stigma and their increased reliance on online platforms. Implications suggest the need for app developers to enhance safety features, public health initiatives to address risks, and informed interventions for clinicians to support MSM in safely accessing digital spaces. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of online dating app use and safety concerns among marginalized populations, laying the groundwork for future research and intervention design.