At Hinge we expect our users to understand that consent is critical. We believe relationships should be rooted in respect and communication. Mutual consent between all parties should be agreed upon without pressure, guilt, or coercion.
In partnership with safety experts and advocates, we’ve created tips on how to navigate obtaining consent and setting personal boundaries – both on and off Hinge.
- Consent is hot. Agreement between people defining what behavior is comfortable and acceptable and what behavior is crossing a personal boundary makes dating easier and more fun.
- It’s your journey. Be you. Everyone has different likes and dislikes, so active communication is important when you’re getting to know someone.
- Feel empowered. We all change our minds and moods, so it’s important to check in about intimate interactions consistently, both online and in person, and feel empowered to say yes or no.
- Respect boundaries. If someone says no, be understanding of their feelings and respect and accept their decision.
- Always trust your gut. Don’t feel pressured to say yes to something that you don’t feel 100% comfortable with.
How communication can establish personal boundaries:
Always ask their preferences and use clear language to avoid misunderstanding. One way to confirm if someone is comfortable is asking, “Are you comfortable talking about what you like and dislike sexually? I’d love to learn more about what’s important to you.”
It’s okay to set boundaries and stick with them. Be supportive of people setting boundaries, and accept “no” with understanding.
Not in the mood? Make it known:
We all change our minds and moods, so it’s important to check in about intimate interactions consistently, both online and in person. Just because someone said “yes” one time doesn’t mean they will be in the mood the next time.
Sometimes you may agree to engage in something and then you or the other person changes their mind once it begins. It’s important to let each other know and then respect boundaries. If you are uncomfortable, you might say: “I’m starting to feel uncomfortable and would like to stop talking about this.” If someone expresses discomfort, be understanding and supportive. It can be as simple as saying: “That’s okay!”
Understanding the other person’s dislikes and preferences not only makes the communication safer, but also more fun.
Safety and consent do not end when conversations move off-app or when meeting IRL. If you feel uncomfortable at any point or want to report someone for crossing your boundaries, we are here to support you. To report a user through the app simply select the three dots at the top right of their profile and tap Report or reach out to us at hello@hinge.co