David Semerad is the CEO of STRV, a mobile and digital agency that has helped develop a number of dating apps, including ChristianMingle, JDate and Hornet. Semerad, who also runs the gay social network Lavendr, says that from a developer’s standpoint incorporating features that promote safe sex is easy, and with the right ideas these additions could have broad appeal. He envisions adding features such as a “verified” badge—like Twitter—for users who get tested for STDs.
“There’s so much power in the hand of these apps. If a dating app is big part of your life, it has a huge impact on your decisions,” says Semerad. “You need to make it cool to be healthy and get tested often.”
While Mustanski doesn’t see a direct correlation between risky sexual behavior and online dating, he does believe the dating companies should support larger public health efforts in small ways. He says extensive research has shown that when it comes to their health, people are most likely to take positive actions when they are pointed directly to a place for help. In the best of worlds, Mustanski would like to see pop up prompts on dating apps that provide GPS-directed information on where a person can receive free or low-cost STD testing.
“It’s important to motivate people,” he says. “It’s more complicated than a “just say no” message, like don’t have sex without a condom.”
Article Appeared @http://www.newsweek.com/should-dating-apps-help-promote-safe-sex-337635