Mutual Friends Make for Risky Hook-Ups Among Young Adults Using a Mobile Dating App

Background: Some mobile dating apps combine functionalities such as social and geospatial networking, which are important for forming relationships. While online dating has been studied in recent years, limited information is available on the use of geosocial-dating applications among emerging adults, especially with regard to sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV-related sexual risk behaviors. Methods: University students (ages 18 to 24) were invited via email to participate in an online survey. Analyses include a subset of participants (n=368) using a popular geosocial-dating app.  The app indicates to users that they have mutual contacts with a potential date. Responses pertaining to how their sexual behaviors could be influenced by mutual contacts were compared using a McNemar chi-square test. Results: The proportion of responses indicating likelihood to ask about HIV testing behaviors if partners had mutual contacts (50%) was significantly different from the proportion indicating likelihood if partners did not have mutual contacts (57.9%) (p=.001). Similarly, the proportion of likely responses was different if partners had mutual contacts (54.4%) or not (60.8%) in regards to communicating about STI testing (p=.004). In fact, with their last sex partner many did not discuss STI (68%, n=160) or HIV (60%, n=160) status. Condomless sex during a first sexual encounter was common among mobile app users (vaginal (47%), anal (64%), oral (98%)). Conclusions: Mobile dating apps try to simulate in-person dating experiences by incorporating social network data. App users may be less comfortable having HIV/STI conversations with partners they share mutual contacts.