Friendly · 1 question
The movie opener
"Hi! I saw you like movies. What is one you enjoyed lately?" This works great if the person listed films or TV shows on their profile.
CopySend
Down Syndrome Online Dating
A Down syndrome dating website that feels calm and kind
Meet people who want to chat, laugh, and go slow. No swiping fast. No pressure. A safe place to say hi, share a little, and see what feels right.
Free to join. Simple sign-up. You are in charge of your profile.
Adults 18+
Friendship or dating
Slow pace welcome
Kind only
Plain language
Easy to read
Go slow
No timers, no rush
Safe and checked
Adults only, real people
Free to join
No credit card
Chat first
Messages first, meet-ups later
You do not have to meet anyone right away. You can just talk. Take days. Take weeks. Move forward only when it feels right.
Modern Dating is built for slow starts. Many dating apps push you to meet fast. This one does not. You can send a message, read a reply, and take your time to answer back.
This helps if you like to think before you speak. It helps if you need a parent, sibling, or support person to look at a new profile with you. It helps if you just want a friend first and maybe a partner later.
You can also say out loud what you want. Some members want dating. Some want friendship. Some want both. All of that is okay here.
- Reply when you are ready. No one is timing you.
- Say yes, no, or maybe. Any answer is fine.
- Only meet in person if it feels right for you.
Chat preview
You & Sam
Sam: Hi! I saw you like bowling. Do you have a favorite ball color?
You: Hi Sam! I like the blue one 🙂
● Online
Reply when ready
Safety first
Consent and safety basics
These simple rules help keep you safe online and in person. Read them with a person you trust if that helps.
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Only date adults who are 18 or older
Make sure the person you are chatting with is also an adult. Adults date adults. If someone says they are under 18, stop and block them.
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Know your good touch and bad touch
Your body belongs to you. A hug can feel nice. A touch you did not say yes to is not okay. You can always say "no" or "stop." A good partner listens the first time.
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Keep your private info private
Do not share your home address, your full last name, your bank info, or your passwords. Do not share your phone number until you feel safe. You can chat right here in the app for as long as you want.
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Tell a trusted person about your plans
Tell a family member, staff person, or friend when you are chatting with someone new. Tell them when you plan to meet. Share the place and the time.
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Meet in a public place the first time
Meet at a coffee shop, a mall, or a park with other people around. You can bring a support person with you. A kind date will understand. Bello Machre, a group that supports adults with developmental disabilities, gives this same advice.
Read more safety tips on our safety and privacy page and our online dating safety guide.
Your choice
You choose what to share
You do not have to tell people you have Down syndrome before you are ready.
Share early, share later, or share in your own words
Some members share in their profile. They write: "I have Down syndrome." This helps them meet people who are open and kind right away.
Other members share later. They chat first. When they feel safe, they share more. Both ways are okay.
You can also share how you like to date, not your diagnosis. You could write: "I like to chat first and take things slow." That tells people what to expect without sharing more than you want.
One rule: no one on this site is allowed to push you to share. If someone does, you can block them and tell our team.
Ready-to-send
Easy first message templates
A first message does not need to be fancy. A warm hello and one question is enough. Try one of these.
Light · 1 question
The weekend opener
"Hey 😊 What do you like doing on weekends?" Simple, kind, and easy to answer. It starts a chat without any pressure.
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Warm · 1 question
The kind-profile opener
"Your profile seems kind. What brought you here?" This shows you read their profile. It invites them to share their story at their own pace.
CopySend
You can also try: "Hi! How has your week been?" That is a nice opener too. Keep it short. Ask one thing. Wait for a reply.
Your pace, your rules
Gentle pace scripts
Sometimes someone moves too fast. You can slow them down with kind words. These scripts help you say what you feel.
Set your pace early
"I like to take things slow and chat first. Is that okay with you?" Use this in your first few messages. A kind person will say yes.
Chat first
Say no to big steps
"I am not ready for that." You can use this for a phone call, a photo, a meet-up, or anything. You do not need to give a long reason.
A full sentence
Ask for respect
"Please respect my pace." Say this when someone keeps pushing. A good match will stop and say sorry. A bad match will keep pushing - that is when you block.
Say it once
Stay in the app
"I would like to keep chatting here for now." Use this if they want your phone number, a different app, or your home address. Stay in Modern Dating until you feel safe.
Stay safe
Saying "go slow" is not rude. It is how you take care of your feelings. A good partner will be happy you told them.
Watch for these
Red flags to watch for
A red flag is a warning sign. If you see any of these, stop talking to that person and tell someone you trust.
⚠ Stop if someone does any of these
- Asks you for money. A real date will never ask for money, gift cards, or your bank info. Not ever.
- Tells you to keep it a secret. A good partner is happy for you to tell your family or staff.
- Asks for private info fast. Your address, your phone, your school, your last name - these should wait.
- Will not video chat or meet in public. If they always say no to a quick video hello, something is wrong.
- Makes you feel scared, tired, or sad. Dating should feel good most of the time. If it feels bad, trust that feeling.
What to do: Tap the block button on their profile. Then tap report. Then tell a trusted adult in your life.
Saying hi today
Members saying hi right now
A few friendly profiles on Modern Dating this week. Names are changed for privacy.
Tampa, FL · ● Online
Maya, 24
Loves Disney songs, art class, and her cat Pickle. Wants to chat first and see if we have fun together. Lives with roommates and works at a flower shop three days a week.
Friendship or datingSlow paceKind only
Denver, CO · Online yesterday
Jordan, 29
Bowls every Saturday. Watches Marvel movies twice. Wants a partner who likes quiet nights and long phone chats. Close with his sister and two best friends.
Long-termVideo chat laterMovie dates
San Diego, CA · ● Online
Sofia, 31
Works at a bakery. Loves beach days, her niece, and 90s pop music. Looking for someone kind who will take walks and share pastries. No rush - friends first is great.
Kind onlyWalksTake it slow
For families and support people
A note for parents, siblings, and staff
Adults with Down syndrome have the same right to love and friendship as anyone else. Your role is to support, not to choose for them. This site was built with that in mind.
You can sit with your loved one when they set up their profile. You can look at new matches together. You can go along to a first meet-up in a public place. That kind of help keeps people safe without taking away their voice.
If you spot anything that worries you on our platform, please use the report button. Our team reviews reports the same day. Read more about what we do on our safety and privacy page and our about page.
More communities to explore
One free account opens every community on Modern Dating.
Autism Dating
A gentle community for autistic adults. Sensory-friendly date ideas, clear communication, and no masking needed.
Plain languageSlow pace
Visit autism dating
Cerebral Palsy Dating
For adults with CP looking for real connection. Accessible first date ideas and real interabled couple stories.
Accessible datesReal stories
Visit CP dating
Inclusive Dating Advice
Ten simple ideas for dating when you have a disability. Good for you, good for a partner to read too.
Beginner friendly
Read the guide
Questions and answers
Down syndrome dating questions
The questions we hear most from members and their families. Short, clear answers.
Is there a Down syndrome dating app for adults?
Yes. Modern Dating is a Down syndrome dating website that welcomes adults with Down syndrome. You can join for free, build a simple profile, and chat with other adults who want friendship or dating. Mainstream apps can feel fast and cold. This one is built to feel calm and kind.
How does dating someone with Down syndrome work?
It works like any other kind of dating. You chat, you share interests, you spend time together, and you see if you click. Take things slow. Ask the person what they enjoy. Respect their pace. A person with Down syndrome is an adult with their own feelings, their own voice, and their own right to say yes or no. Treat them the way you would want to be treated.
Do I have to say I have Down syndrome on my profile?
No. You do not have to share your diagnosis if you do not want to. Some people share in their profile so matches know right away. Others share later, after a few chats, when they feel safe. Both are okay. You can also just write: "I like to chat first and take things slow."
Is Modern Dating really free for people with Down syndrome?
Yes. Joining is free. Chatting is free. Your profile is free. You never need a credit card to meet someone here. We have an optional premium upgrade for cosmetic add-ons, but every main feature is free forever.
Can a family member or support staff help me set up my profile?
Yes, absolutely. Many members set up their profile with a parent, sibling, or support staff. Pick your photos together. Write your bio together. Check new matches together for the first few weeks. It is your profile - the helper is there to support your choices, not make them for you.
What if someone is mean or pushy?
Tap the block button on their profile. Then tap the report button. Our team looks at every report the same day and removes people who break our rules. You never need to explain yourself. You can also tell a parent, sibling, or staff person so they know.