I do, but then I actually use WhatsApp on a daily basis, like everyone else over here. Even my mother of 83. It's as normal to have and use as a phone.

It's more personal, you chat 1 on 1, although you can also have group chats, you can send photos with ease, take a photo & send it right away, or do face calls, send voice messages etc.
It's like making a phone call. You can actually make a phone call via WhatsApp as well.

And with that it's entirely different from a dating site.
But since it's more personal -to me anyways- I don't add anyone to it just like that. It's family and friends and if I have a partner, him too of course.

Maybe that's why scammers try to get you to it? --> Emotionally, you feel more comfortable and are more open. As a result, you can also fall for things more easily.

yes its true

One problem with chatting on this site is that chat messages are limited to 500 characters. This is a problem for loquacious people; those who tend to be brief have no problem with the limit.

Talking on the phone does not work well for those who are hard of hearing.

Anyone taking there is going to ask you for money period

I frequently talk with my daughter and family in Australia using WhatsApp, saves a lot of money when the calls are free. I would be careful going off Mingle2 website to chat with people I have never met. Never used Telegram so I cannot comment on it.

I always suggest it to go to telegran because the enviro,ent is much more user friendly and it looks way much nicer and more possibilities to contact. If I get a reauest myself i always seek the persons photo on pimeyes.com to see if its a legit person.

Not true

yes that's true

This ^^^^^
Whatsapp has been fully integrated in society for over 15 years in The Netherlands.
I wouldn't even date anyone who doesn't have it as it'd mean they're seriously lagging behind. It's as weird as not having a phone or smartphone or internet. It's a red flag.
Even the elderly use Whatsapp as well as therapists to make appointments.

Lot of US companies/therapists/coaches use it as well BTW.

You sound like my dad. He didn't understand new things either.
And it isn't no longer new, has been around for 17 years!! Used by millions worldwide, except Americans. Meaning you're behind.
Now oftentimes older generations can't keep up so well, and then judge things they don't even know or understand.
That said, almost all elders (80-85+ years old) use it over here.

Fact you Americans don't have smart phone plans like we have so using internet on your phone is expensive for you doesn't make it unreliable.

We have plans that include a lot of data while texting wasn't free in the past.
A man not having a smartphone and/or Whatsapp is reason to not trust him, not the other way round.

I'm north american and I have whatsapp.. and I've had it for several years.. plus we "old folks in the dark ages" have unlimited 'text'n talk' world plans for under $30/month.. so I'm not seeing how "behind" we are.. so it looks like you got your "facts" wrong..

Yes, which is what I said: the cause is different types of phone plans and that the fact you don't know something that is different in other countries because of that doesn't mean it's unsafe.
And it is a known fact that older people lose touch with many things as they age as neuroplasticity lessens.
Since you don't seem to be up to speed... here's the facts:


Older people often struggle to keep up with new things due to slower brain processing speeds, reduced working memory, and a decline in brain flexibility.
These natural changes make learning unfamiliar skills take much longer than it used to.

Brain Changes
- Slower thinking: Processing new information and multitasking takes more time.
- Memory shifts: Holding and using new facts in real time becomes harder.
- Less flexibility: The brain forms new pathways more slowly than in youth.
- Daily Life and Habits
- Deep habits: Older routines are strong and feel safe, making change uncomfortable.
- Less practice: Seniors often have fewer chances to learn modern digital skills.
- No real need: Many new trends do not add value to their daily lives.


Of course for some it's less than others.


As for using Whatsapp, for a large part based on different phone plans being offered, which I already stated in my previous post.
But more Americans use it now than let's say 6-8 years ago. Then most Americans didn't even know what it was. I know this for fact as I recall US people here saying so when it was addressed.
Canadians use it more because many of them have family abroad and/or they emigrated from Europe to Canada themselves and are familiar with it.
But as I understood it, Canadians in general also have the same phone plans as Americans.

But why do I need to explain this that is common knowledge?
Maybe do your own research, certainly before you think you should tell someone off.
I do. Which is why I know things.

As for Telegram... apparently there is quite a large group that uses it over here in The Netherlands, but Signal has gotten bigger.
But Whatsapp remains the giant in that sense.

Personally I don't know anyone who uses Telegram nor Signal.
For day to day chat and contact most people use Whatsapp.

I should know better than to say anything in opposition of someone who THINKS they know better than those that actually LIVE in North America but lives abroad.. oh and.. uses the "infallible" internet to do research.. with SO many differing opinions of what IS and what ISN'T true.. you can pick and choose ANYthing that'll give credibility to your statement..

if you want research.. here....

Innovative, research-backed interventions that help aging adults implement new behaviors related to fitness, diet, and learning have been shown to improve and prolong cognitive health.
~Research indicates that learning multiple new skills in a supportive environment can, over time, help older adults achieve similar scores on cognitive tests as young adults.
Whereas internalized ageism can lead older adults to believe that they can’t learn and must give up things that are important to them, research suggests that positive age beliefs can lead to better health and a longer life. so it would seem your belief will cause YOUR brain to age faster than some..

With the number of Americans age 65 and older projected to increase by 30% in the next 25 years to 82 million, psychology researchers are developing cognitive interventions to help adults boost their brain health rather than being affected by harmful stereotypes about aging (2023 National Population Projections, U.S. Census Bureau). “Research is showing that older adults who buy into negative messages about aging start shaping their lives consistent with those messages,” said Ann Steffen, PhD, a professor in the department of psychological sciences at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and coauthor of Treating Later Life Depressionopens in new window (Oxford University Press, 2021). “This internalized ageism can lead to beliefs that older adults are less competent, can’t learn, and must give up things that are important to them.” Research by Yale University psychologist Becca Levy, PhD, suggests that positive age beliefs, on the other hand, can lead to better health and a 7.5-year average increase in lifespan (Breaking the Aging Code, William Morrow, 2023).

“People need to understand that they have some ability to influence their brain health,” said Alan Gow, PhD, a psychology professor at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, who studies healthy aging. “There are changes in lifestyle we can make at all stages of life that can affect cognition later in life.”

all this to say.. nothing is written in stone.. the brain will decay for those that are lazy and choose not to use it daily by expanding and learning.. so again.. your FACTS are not solid.. they only suit the narrative you want it to..

as for whatsapp.. I'm confused now.. because in your original statement you said " And it isn't no longer new, the use of a double negative is confusing in of itself has been around for 17 years!! Used by millions worldwide, except Americans. Meaning you're behind.

Fact you Americans don't have smart phone plans like we have" which I've already proved to be incorrect.. yet now you say more Americans use it now than let's say 6-8 years ago so which is it..??

also.. I don't have family OR friends in Europe.. but I still use whatsapp.. why? because maybe I found an app that can give me access to the family & friends I have in the USA that doesn't cost me anything to communicate with them.. oh wait.. did I discover something new with my 'aging brain'?? well look at that..

I'd be remiss if I didn't cite my source..

How learning protects the aging brain
Researchers are leveraging neuroplasticity to help older adults adapt to change and boost cognitive function from the American Psychological Association - April/May 2026 edition

First of all yes, those that are not within the US do seem to use Whatsapp and Telegram more...

It has nothing to do with the US "Lagging Behind" actually if you look at it the US seems to be ahead...

Americans primarily use iMessage, standard SMS text messaging, and Facebook Messenger. Because unlimited domestic texting has been standard on US mobile plans for decades and iPhones dominate the American market, a separate third-party app for basic texting has historically been unnecessary...

I've lived in the US all my life and yet I still have never known a Medical Profession or any type of Business that uses Whatsapp or Telegram to communicate.. I know for a fact that none of my friends medical staff contacts them that way.. Nor do any of the business that we deal with at work use those Apps.

Most that use those apps do for the convenience of not having to pay for long distance calls.. and unlimited calling..Which is why they are widely used outside the US.

But it is still a well known fact that more seem to get scammed on Whatsapp. It is why many American's stay away from a 3rd party app..due to cell phones have for many years had unlimited text and talk.. As well as internet is included in the phone plan.

Humm now those that are not licensed as a therapist/coach/tarot readings might use Whatsapps but would not know for I don't us those types.

"Then most Americans didn't even know what it was. I know this for fact as I recall US people here saying so when it was addressed."

OMG please why do you always think the US is so behind.Maybe you need to watch the News more. We have evolved... Heck Whatsapp has been around for decades we know it is there we don't need a 3rd party app to contact others due to those things called Cell Phones..

telegram = generally scam

Telegram is where all the scammers would like you to come, so they can undress your bank account while staying fully clothed themselves.....but for a price that can actually change .....Avoid it like Covid 19

Not really I just don’t like giving my number out straight away so telegram is easier or snapchat but most ppl with business or that do fraud do use it so does look sketchy