The rise in the popularity of dating apps has sparked concerns in the UK medical community most especially over increasing cases of sexually transmitted infections among heterosexuals. According to medical professionals the success of dating apps, along with online dating services, could mean an even higher rate of changing sexual partners which may, in turn, create a rise in HIV cases among heterosexuals.
Media committee chair of British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), Dr Peter Greenhouse, explains: "You are able to turn over partners more quickly with a dating app and the quicker you change partners, the more likely you are to get infections.
According to recent data by Public Health England, sexually transmitted infections have seen a rapid rise. Syphilis cases were found to have gone up to as much as 33% and gonorrhoea cases to as much as 19% in 2014.
While the exact number of dating connections directly resulting from the use of the dating apps is undetermined, the Online Dating Association estimates that between 25% and 40% of new relationships begin through these apps.
ODA chief executive George Kidd reminds its members of the need for alertness to situations which may arise that would require the provision of health advice.
Producers are quick to point out that their dating apps advocate safe sex. Some apps go so far as to make provisions to include information on a user's sexual health status.
Trends head at Happn, Marie Cosnard, says that apps are in no way responsible for the rise in sexually transmitted infections given that these tools only ride upon farther-reaching social trends as well as behavioural changes that have been developing for years.
"There's a liberalisation of attitudes towards the number of partners, the status of relationships, towards marriage, divorce, etc.
Ms. Cosnard highlights that the problem concerning STIs is bigger than mere dating apps use.
"People need to be more educated in terms of sexual health and to take their responsibilities, no matter how and where they've met their partner."
Nonetheless, Dr Greenhouse maintains "If enough people change partners quickly, and they've got other untreated sexually transmitted infections, it might just start an explosion of HIV in the heterosexual population.
Dr. Greenhouse that dating apps provide the perfect avenue for this.
