Australian users’ experiences with control features on social media services and online dating apps

This Report details the findings of a study that examined Australians’ knowledge, use and perceptions of the effectiveness of user control features (e.g., safety tools) on social media services and online dating apps. It also explored Australians’ awareness of third-party solutions for preventing, reporting, and responding to online harm.

The study used a child and trauma-informed approach. It consisted of a walkthrough analysis of 20 social media services and online dating apps, 24 online focus groups of one-hour duration with 102 Australians aged 13-74 years, and two one-on-one online interviews with Australians aged 18+ years of 45 minutes duration. Findings include the extent of control features available to Australians on social media and dating aps, awareness of these functions, and perceptions of their effectiveness. We also collected suggestions for improving these functions from our participants.