Abstract
Smartphone-based dating apps are popular among LGBTQ+ people because they offer safe spaces for them to explore their identities, foster connections, build community, and pursue sexual encounters. Despite this, LGBTQ+ people experience sexual violence (Dietzel, 2021) and homophobia and transphobia (Albury et al., 2020) through their use of apps. Racialized LGBTQ+ people are targeted because of their race and ethnicity (Dietzel, at press). Sexual health is also a concern, as app use has been linked to the transmission of sexually transmitted blood-borne infections and HIV (Numer et al., 2019). App companies have responded to these concerns by launching public campaigns, developing new in-app features, and sharing resources on their websites. And with the COVID-19 pandemic, app companies have paid increased attention to users’ needs by publicizing public health guidelines, emphasizing mental health, and encouraging positive sexual health (Myles et al., 2021). While app companies should attend to the safety, health, and wellbeing of their users – and provide support that is tailored to LGBTQ+ people’s needs – the responsibility of app companies in providing such services should be examined. This study examines the strategies and methods that LGBTQ+ people employ to promote safety, health, and wellbeing in their experiences with dating apps. This paper also scrutinizes app companies’ responsibility in attending to their users’ safety, health, and wellbeing and considers whether app companies, as for-profit corporations are best positioned to support LGBTQ+ people’s needs.
Presenters
Christopher DietzelPostdoctoral Fellow, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada Matthew Numer
Assistant Professor, School of Health and Human Performance, Dalhousie University
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Health Promotion and Education
KEYWORDS
LGBTQ, Dating apps, Safety, Health, Wellbeing
