Sexual health experts in the UK are blaming hook-up apps like Grindr and Tinder for an increase in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). 

 

Statistics show gonorrhoea cases in England have increased by 15% between 2012 and 2013, while in the same period of time syphilis cases went up 9%. STI rates among American men have shown similar increases. 

 

"You don't have to be a genius to work out that these sorts of apps make having casual sex a damn sight easier," argued Peter Greenhouse, of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV. "You can find, down to a metre or two, the nearest available person who is interested. This is something that just hasn't been available before." 

Before March, 2009, that is, when Grindr made its debut.  

 

Grindr countered that it has a policy to help limit the spread of STIs by removing profiles that indicate a desire for unprotected sex. It also promotes safer sex through messages on the app, and at times will even list nearby clinics where people can get tested.

 

"We try to educate and inform in a fun and engaging way," explained Grindr spokesman Justin Howard. "We try to spell it out as plain as we can to encourage safe behavior, and they can choose to read more or close it."

 

Maybe scientists should invent a penis that only works with a condom on!

 

Dating apps that pinpoint interested people down to the nearest metre blamed for soaring sex infections [Daily Mail]