Teenagers who are lonely and looking for friends or dates might want to use online platforms. But they should only use age-appropriate platforms for teenagers. In addition, they might want to look for sites that cater to their lifestyles. For example, anime dating apps are ideal for anime fans, just as cosplay dating apps are good for cosplayers.
Since a majority would not be considered to be consenting adults, teens are discouraged from signing up with casual dating sites. What they need is a safe community where they can connect with like-minded singles who are within their age groups. There are many teen dating sites and apps specifically designed for this young demographic.
Flirt.com
Although not specifically made for teens, this dating site still provides a safe online platform where teenagers can meet and connect. With over 1 million members worldwide, you’ll definitely meet some teens on the site. This site does not have a mobile app.
Pros
- Large user base
- Affordable 3-day trial
- High member activity
- Easy and fast registration
- Roulette-type matching feature
- Free winks
Cons
- Fake profiles
- Messaging is only for paid users
- Poorly detailed profiles
- No mobile app
Price Plans
- 28.80 USD for one month
- 48.60 USD for three months
MyLOL
It is a social network platform for teens – people between 13 and 19 years of age. The site encourages teens to connect and meet friends. A majority of the features on the site can be used for free. You can access the services either through the desktop site or app.
Pros
- Fast registration
- Photo albums are visible to all members
- Facebook/Twitter sign up option
- All features are available to all members after completing the registration
- Extensive search tool
- Intuitive interface
Cons
- Many fake profiles
- Inappropriate behavior by some members
- Members can skip the verification process
- No automatic matching system
- Some topics or posts are not age-appropriate for the site
Pricing Plans
- 1 week at 3.95 USD
- 1 month at 9.95 USD
- 3 months at 20.85 USD
- 6 months at 29.70 USD
Skout
This is a social app which any teen can use to find friendships. It is also one of the location-based dating apps which teenagers who prefer to meet people near them will find useful. The platform has around 4.5 million users in the United States. The app is available on Android and iOS.
Pros
- Easy and fast setup
- Free account has many features
- Promotes community building
- Messages are previewed and then either accepted or rejected
- Facebook sign up option
- Large user base
- Messaging is a free feature
- Photos are approved
Cons
- The free account is full of Ads
- Overwhelming interface
- Many advertisements for sister app “MeetMe”
- Significant number of underage members
Pricing Plans
Skout Premium
9.99 USD for one month
Skout Points
- 500 credits at 4.99 USD
- 1,000 credits at 7.99 USD
- 1,200 credits at 9.99 USD
- 2,500 credits at 16.99 USD
- 8,000 credits at 49.99 USD
- 18,000 credits at 99.99 USD
Yubo
It is a French social networking app ideal for teenagers who are looking for friendly communities. The app targets people in the 13 to 25 age bracket and uses age estimation technology and face recognition for every uploaded photo. The platform has 25 million users in the United States and over 40 million members worldwide. The app is available on iOS and Android.
Pros
- Face-recognition technology
- Age-recognition technology
- Quick registration
- Large user base
- Almost equal male to female ratio
- Live streaming videos
- Chatroom
- Free messaging
Cons
- More of an internet forum than a dating app
- Poor quality profiles
Pricing Plans
- 1 week at 5.99 USD
- 1 month at 8.99 USD
- 3 months at 14.99 USD
Hot or Not
This site has over 384 million users worldwide, making it one of the best platforms for instantly getting a match. It is because, at any given time, at least 1 million members are online. The app has the same layout as Badoo and is available on Android and iOS.
Pros
- Quick and easy registration
- Automatic imports of Facebook photos
- Large user base
- Allows unlimited photos
- Detailed profiles
- Swiping system
- Video uploads
Cons
- Profiles can be viewed by people who are not members
- Many inactive profiles
Pricing Plans
Premium
- 1 week at 3.99 USD
- 1 month at 12.99 USD
- 3 months at 31.99 USD
- 6 months at 47.99 USD
Credits
- 100 credits at 1.99 USD
- 500 credits at 9.99 USD
- 1,250 credits at 19.99 USD
- 2,750 credits at 39.99 USD
MeetMe
This platform is a hybrid of a social network site and a dating site. Members can exchange messages for free. There are over 50 million members in the United States. The mobile is compatible with Android and iOS.
Pros
- Large user base
- Rewards popular members with credits
- Easy and fast registration
- Free messaging
- Chatroom
Cons
- Not ideal for singles seeking serious relationships
- No strict guidelines against fake accounts
- Many predators and scammers
- Profiles are visible to the public
- No identity verification
- Poorly detailed profiles
Pricing Plans
MeetMe+
- 1 month at 6.99 USD
- 3 months at 16.99 USD
- 6 months at 24.99 USD
Credits
- 250 credits at 2.99 USD
- 500 credits at 4.99 USD
- 625 credits at 9.99 USD
- 2,000 credits at 14.99 USD
- 3,700 credits at 24.99 USD
Coffee Meets Bagel
It is the ideal platform for teens who prefer a friend-to-friend matching system. This is also one of the few dating apps that emphasize quality over quantity. And with 11 million users in the United States, this is the place for a teen to find quality friends. The app is on Android and iOS.
Pros
- Private online dating
- Friend-to-friend matching system
- Large user base
- Easy to set up
- Chatroom
- Free messaging
- Detailed profiles
Cons
- Not ideal for people in small towns or cities
- Limited matches per day
- Chatting is only available for 7 days
- No manual search of profiles
Pricing Plans
Premium Membership
- 1 month at 34.99 USD
- 3 months at 74.99 USD
- 6 months at 119.99 USD
- 12 months at 179.99 USD
Beans (In-app currency)
- 100 credits at 1.99 USD
- 2,000 credits at 23.99 USD
- 3,000 credits at 24.99 USD
Happn
This app has 5.4 million members in the United States, and males make up 60 percent of the total user base. The mobile application is available on iOS and Android.
Pros
- Invisibility mode
- Location-based dating app
- Facebook sign up option
- Large user base
- Users are matched based on real-life encounters and preferences
- Quick registration
Cons
- No desktop version
- No free search feature
- Limited information on the profiles
- No verification
- Only members who have mutually liked each other can send messages
Pricing Plans
Happn Premium Subscription
- 1 month at 24.99 USD
- 6 months at 89.99 USD
- 12 months at 119.99 USD
Happn Credits
- 10 coins at 2.99 USD
- 60 coins at 14.99 USD
- 100 coins at 16.99 USD
- 250 coins at 39.99 USD
Taffy
Swipe left or right on this social app to connect with people you like. You can find it on Google Play Store as well as on the App Store.
Pros
- Completely free app
- Intuitive user interface
- Location-based
- Different relationship types offered
Cons
- Fairly new
- Contains Ads
Pricing Plans
Taffy is a free-to-use app.
Hater App
This dating app connects you with singles based on what you hate. If you hate the same things, you get connected. There are around 500,000 users from the United States. However, the app is not available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Pros
- Has the entertaining and unique concept
- Completely free
- Easy and fast registration
- Limited information on profiles
- Facebook sign up
- Swipe feature
Cons
- The app tends to lag
- Unequal male to female ratio
- Only a maximum of 5 photos can be uploaded
- App not available on App Store and Google Play Store-but compatible with iOS and Android
Pricing Plans
It is a completely free dating app.
Tips on How to Increase Chances of Success on Teen Dating Apps
The first step is to join a niche teen dating app or website. It means signing up with a platform where over 90 percent of the members are teenagers like you. It ensures that you meet like-minded teens you can relate to and avoid older adults whose interest might be to prey on the young and naïve teens.
You should also use a dating site or app with a large user base. It will increase your chances of finding the type of fellow teen you want to connect with for friendship.
FAQ
Does online dating work for teens?
Yes, many teenagers have met friends and dates through MyLOL dating site.
Is online dating safe for teenagers?
Yes, it is safe. However, the teens must also take personal precautions when engaging other members online.
Do you have any tips for choosing a username on a teen dating app?
Choose a username that portrays your personality. Avoid creepy usernames.