There are many reasons I love being off the market, but I'm especially relieved to be away from the rabbit hole of dating apps like Tinder, as it might be contributing to the rise of sexually transmitted diseases STDs in certain places. According to a recent examination and news release , Rhode Island's Department of Health found significant STD increases from to , with syphilis cases growing by nearly 80 percent, gonorrhea infections spiking 30 percent, and HIV diagnoses jumping nearly 33 percent.
What's likely to blame for some of these scary high numbers? Dating apps, according to the release. Tinder, which exploded in popularity in and , could be one of the platforms responsible for this uptick in STDs, as users are known for turning to the app for random hook-ups. Grindr, which launched prior to Tinder and enables gay men to have casual sexual encounters as well, may also be at fault.
Though USA Today surveyed students and found many of them use dating apps as a joke, almost 70 percent of participants said they believed hookup apps could spark a rise in STD rates. Doctors and nurses are trained to discuss sensitive topics like sex, and conversations with them are confidential.
Health educators at schools or community health centers are great resources too. In , a New York University study found that Craigslist prompted a 16 percent hike in HIV cases across more than 30 states from to The problem is apparently not unique to the United States either; according to Christchurch Sexual Health Clinic , Grindr was connected to more than half of New Zealand's syphilis cases in Dr Rosemary Gillespie, chief executive at the UK-based Terrence Higgins Trust, told MailOnline that hookups give people more opportunities than ever before to snag sexual partners.
That, of course, comes with immense risk. Gillespie said. Visit attn.
