Dating Apps Have Changed Sex for Everyone January 21, 2016 – Posted in: LGBTQ

Welcome to 2016, where you no longer need to leave the house to find a date. In reality, thanks to the incredibly easy to use mobile phone dating apps – you barely have to move your hands. The sexual undertones (and overtones) of social networking apps like Tinder and Grindr have brought society into the golden age of casual sex. Our ability to find like-minded folk to fornicate with is incredibly convenient. It’s especially handy (pun intended) in parts of the world that aren’t as sexually liberated or are heavily dictated by religious law and customs. It’s a much-discussed topic, and we’ve wondered about the way dating apps have affected our social interactions. In what ways have dating apps helped or hindered our lives?

How Dating Apps Have Changed Our Sex Lives

They’ve introduced the rise of the ‘hookup culture.’

Hooking up for no-strings-attached fun was definitely happening long before Tinder, Grindr and even the invention of the internet. But, social media has definitely opened many doors in terms of ease of access. With these apps (and to a lesser extent, online dating sites) setting up a meeting between you and another person happens fast. It also means you don’t have to trawl bars and venues trying to impress strangers with your pick up lines. Using an app means there’s a (nearly) endless list of eligible people within a set radius that want exactly what you want – or something pretty similar. Unlike visiting a brothel or hiring an escort, it’s a bit of a lucky dip in terms of looks and personality.

They’ve changed attitudes towards casual sex and the ‘taboo.’

Living in this hookup culture makes us a lot more relaxed about engaging in casual sex, bringing about a change in attitude toward relationships and monogamy. Open relationships, swinging and polyamory are increasingly more popular, and we’re feeling freer to experiment. In countries with cultures that aren’t so blasé about hooking up, dating apps have made it easier for the minority groups to match and meet their needs. Grindr and Blued have enabled casual sex and relationships in the gay community worldwide. The reach of these apps is felt especially in countries where homosexuality is illegal. In India, Afghanistan and Pakistan, people looking for same-sex relationships existed in covert groups that used public restrooms, bathhouses and parks as pick-up locations. Without having the freedom of LGBT-friendly governments and societies, not to mention gay bars to meet others, dating apps have opened up the opportunities and brought attention to the struggle for equality.

They’ve been blamed for increased safety risks.

So now, more people are meeting like-minded individuals for anonymous encounters. More of us are connecting with strangers to form short-term sexual flings. The desire to experience these encounters means we’re not always following the old rules of blind and online dates: always meet in a public place and not their house, always tell a friend where you’re going and who you’re intending to meet. While this can put people at higher risk of something going awry – due to the lack of a screening process – are the apps to blame? In the UK, unsettling figures regarding Tinder and Grindr related crimes show a sharp increase since 2013. In the past two years, more than 400 offences have been linked to dating apps. Unfortunately, we can’t know if users were oblivious to red flags in their communication. One downside to dating apps is the tendency for people to think with their bits, and not their brains – if you know what I mean. It’s fair to assume that wanting instant gratification leads to swiping right with a degree of tunnel vision. These apps are also copping plenty of flak for a rise in sexually transmitted diseases. This is probably the time to point out that practising safe sex with strangers is always a good idea. In fact, it’s the best idea. You don’t know their health history or how many people they’ve had unprotected sex with. Is it really worth it?

If you’ve ever used a dating app or even travelled down the avenue of online dating, you’ll know it’s fraught with frauds and time wasters, just like real life. Sure, they’re exposing us to more people, and in doing so, we’re exposed to more potential risks. That’s a choice we make. These applications are evolving to connect more specific groups of people, including escorts with clients. The sexual landscape is changing with the technological advances. Or perhaps we’re creating technology to better express ourselves sexually. Whatever the future holds, stay safe out there, and when there’s something new on the horizon, we’ll tell you all about it.

How do you feel about dating apps? Tweet us @BrothelsAU and tell the Gentleman all about it.