When Cid Walker opens the Tea app, she sees a flurry of posts about men and the flags—red or green—that users attach to them. “He’s a cheater,” she reads from one post. Another user asks, “What clubs does he go to? He’s cute.”
Tea, a women-only app, helps users get feedback on men they are dating. With about 4 million users, it recently became a top free app in the Apple App Store. The app exploded in popularity after discussions on platforms like Reddit and TikTok. In just a few days, it gained over 900,000 new sign-ups.
When you first log in, the app shows local men with photos and their first names. Users can indicate whether they see a man as a “red flag” or a “green flag,” sharing personal experiences and opinions. “I’ve seen so many people I know on the app; it’s wild,” Walker, 22, comments. “I would never think this stuff about them.”
Users can search for specific names and receive alerts for particular men. The app also provides background checks, searches for criminal histories, and checks whether a man’s dating profile uses someone else’s photos.
Sean Cook, the app’s creator, was inspired by his mother’s tough experiences with online dating, including being catfished and dating men with hidden criminal backgrounds. The app aims to create a safer dating environment for women, similar to Facebook groups like “Are We Dating The Same Guy?” that have gained traction in recent years.
However, not everyone is pleased with these platforms. Men have raised concerns about being misrepresented or targeted unfairly. For instance, two defamation lawsuits against some Facebook groups were dismissed in court last year.
Tea has faced backlash as well. Some men online have urged others to report the app, hoping to get it shut down. One competing app, Teaborn, briefly surfaced before being pulled from the App Store following allegations of inappropriate content shared by users.
Despite the criticism, many users find the app useful for sharing warnings about potentially harmful individuals. Walker notes, though, that some users seem more interested in gossip than genuine safety concerns. “If people used the app the way it was intended, it could help prevent harm,” she reflects. “Right now, it feels more like a joke or a way to cyberbully.”
Tea maintains a clear mission: to empower women and promote safety. The app claims to donate 10% of its profits to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, reinforcing its commitment to supporting women’s issues. While the app aims to create a space for honest conversations, the balance between safety and gossip remains delicate.
In this digital age, apps like Tea show how technology is reshaping dating and relationships. As more women navigate these apps, it’s clear that community, safety, and accountability are at the forefront. The future will likely see continued discussions on how to navigate these delicate dynamics in online spaces.
For more information on online safety and domestic violence resources, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
