LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Online dating has increased over the years in popularity.
A study out of Stanford University and the University of New Mexico showed almost 40 percent of couples met online.
However, finding love online can also be dangerous – as the risk of being a victim through online dating may be higher or lower based on where you live, according to a recent report .
A team compiled a list of the safest and most dangerous states for online dating by using recent stats on violent crime, cyber-crime statistics, STD data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with sex education data.
The most dangerous state overall came back as Alaska followed by:
2. Louisiana
3. Mississippi
4. Georgia
5. Nevada
6. Arizona
7. New Mexico
8. New York
9. California
10. Illinois
While, the safest states for finding love online were led by Vermont, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Maine, and Utah.
The Business Insider Why is Alaska So Dangerous says, For many remote Alaskan communities only accessible by plane, the biggest danger is it’s villager’s unavailability of any law enforcement to protect victims.
There are at least 75 Native American Alaskan villages that don’t have any law enforcement, reports The Washington Post. Isolated by long distances and difficult terrain, those residents must report crimes and wait for Alaska State Troopers to arrive in the village after hours of traveling.
Alaska has one of the highest violent crime rates in the U.S., at 603.2 violent crimes per 100,000 compared to a national average of 386.9, according to the FBI’s 2012 crime report. That includes nearly 80 rapes per 100,000 residents in 2012 compared to a national average of 26.9, more than any other state.
Native Alaskans make up 61% of sexual assault victims in the state even though they make up just 15% of the population, The New York Times reported in 2012
Online dating can be a great way to connect with new people, of course, but keep an eye out for any potential warning signs.
Experts say to tell friends when meeting up with someone you met online, arrange transportation, and meet in a public place as far as a few safety tips. More information on the full report and study can also be found
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