Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Although dating applications apps have become popular among young adults, there is a dearth of information regarding the sexual health implications among Brazilian college students. Three hundred and fifty-nine students reported their sociodemographic data, dating app use, and sexual behaviors and attitudes through self-administered questionnaires. Dating app use was reported by Women frequently requested condom use.
Men had a greater number of sexual partners and less protective attitudes. A positive attitude toward sexual health was not a predictor of safe sex. Important similarities and differences regarding risky sexual behaviors and attitudes were observed between the sexes, many of which correlated with increased sexual vulnerability during the sexual encounters arranged through the dating apps. This cross-sectional study supports efforts on sexual health promotion and sexual education implementation in the face of growing usage of apps among young adults for sexual matters.
Keywords: dating apps, sexual behaviors, attitude, college students, sexual health. Technology has become an essential tool for education and social communication [ 1 ]. The advent of the Internet boosted interpersonal relationships, influenced by virtual rooms and visual and digital mobile communication. Students use educational technology as a means of transmitting knowledge, and mobile technology plays a role in the interactions of this population through rapid conversation feedback, social support, well-being, and encounters [ 2 , 3 ].
Most apps are free, and users can chat with a large number of people through location-based algorithms using a Global Positioning System GPS. Interpersonal encounters arranged through apps vary from social networking to finding sexual partners [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Sexual behavior includes all activities in which individuals explore their sexual life and sexuality across cultural influences, biological elements, and social groups, involving solitary or partnered sex, relationships, reproductive health, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections STIs [ 8 ].
Previous studies have reported negative sexual health implications for dating app users. Drug use, compulsivity, deception, risky behaviors [ 9 ], sexual abuse [ 10 ], attitudes [ 11 ] associated with socio-sexuality, and previous reports of STIs [ 12 ] are more prevalent in this population.
