Gay Men Using Internet For Finding Sex More Frequently Than Straight

According to a new research published in The Journal Of Sex Research gay men are looking for sex on the internet (via mobile devices, computers, etc.) more frequently than straight men.
The research was done between years 1990 and 2013 and looked into gay and straight men’s use of the internet (focused on finding sex online). It started back in 1990s with AOL chat rooms and was followed by applications and other gay-friendly websites and portals like Grindr, Skout, PlanetOut, Gay Romeo and others.
Back in January 2013 20 largest dating applications together had 17 million active users and 2.1 billion impressions. Study is saying that heterosexuals check dating apps eight times a week and are using them for 71 seconds per visit. On the other hand, gay men are using dating apps more often. They say they are using these apps 22 times a week and one visit lasts for 96 seconds.
Grindr (launched on March 25, 2009) reported that it’s users normally spent a (shocking) one and a half our on the app daily and are checking it averagely eight times a day. The number is huge, especially if you think about Facebook. Let’s say they are also spending one and a half hour on Facebook, so three hours a day of social media and nothing else. And I did not even mention Instagram and Twitter and the rest. Shocking, isn’t it?

Gay men are all over the internet, while straight are holding themselves back.

A study, made in Los Angeles, found that 76 percent guys (18-24) met on Grindr. This same study reported that almost 60 percent of guys who met on Grinder used condoms, while only 42 percent guys who met “traditionally” did. That’s interesting. This mean online dating is safer?
A recent Grindr survey found that one in five 18 to 24-yr-old men and one in ten New York City based men never took a HIV test. This survey/study suggests mobile apps to also serve as a public health venue for gay men and bisexuals.

There is a lot of really interesting data that can be found in the research. If you are one of gay men, or if you are like me who likes to know stuff, give it a read.

Constantly checking out the phone for news and updates and sexy guys. Photo via Grinder Facebook.

I started asking myself this quite a while ago and it is a general questions that fits in gay men/women, bisexual and straight. Where is all this mobile addiction going? Will in ten years (or even sooner) dating be happening only online? What about the classic, shy approach of meeting a girl or a guy in person? Will it disappear?
I know it is easier to made the first step online, but let’s all gay men/women, bisexual and straight bring the “old-school” back.

Tags: gay, gay men