A new research report has found that students who use dating apps are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, raising concerns among educators and health professionals about a hidden danger in the digital age of romance. The study, highlighted by Frontiers in November 2024, adds fresh urgency to Thailand’s ongoing efforts to improve sexual health education and digital literacy among young people Frontiers in Public Health.
With dating apps becoming an integral part of modern student social life, especially in university settings across Thailand and globally, this news holds significant implications. Thai students are among the world’s most digitally connected, with Gen Z leading trends in smartphone and app usage. Yet, with greater access to platforms that facilitate rapid connections often come greater health risks, including unprotected sex, multiple partners, and a higher likelihood of encountering sexually transmitted infections (STIs). According to the new research, these risks are statistically higher among students active on dating apps.
Behind this trend lies a complex interplay of social, psychological, and technological factors. Easy access to potential partners via dating apps can encourage impulsive behavior and anonymous encounters, as explained by Dr. Chatree Singsuwan, a lecturer in psychology at Chulalongkorn University: “Apps can lower inhibitions and make risky sexual choices seem less consequential. Students may underestimate the risks or feel a false sense of safety.” This sentiment is echoed globally, with health experts warning that swiping and matching can sometimes outpace careful judgment.
The Frontiers report reviewed survey data from university students—a demographic known for both curiosity and risk-taking. The findings show that dating app users were more likely to report not using condoms regularly, having multiple sexual partners within short timeframes, and regretting online-initiated encounters. In one cited case, nearly 40% of student app users admitted to not discussing sexual health history with new partners, compared to only 22% among non-users. Additionally, students using dating apps reported higher rates of alcohol consumption prior to sex, a pattern that can decrease safe sex practices—a trend widely observed in both Thai and international research CDC.
What makes this research especially relevant for Thailand is the country’s ongoing battle against rising STI rates among the youth population. According to the Department of Disease Control, syphilis and gonorrhea cases among Thai university students have doubled over the past decade, outpacing older generations Thai Dept. of Disease Control. Health officials attribute much of this increase to changing social norms, the affordability of smartphones, and gaps in effective sex education. “We can’t ignore the new risks posed by technology,” says Dr. Siriporn Thanathorn, director of Ministry of Public Health’s Adolescent Sexual Health Program. “Students today face challenges we never imagined twenty years ago. A comprehensive approach to sexual health education must include digital safety and communication.”
For many Thai students, dating apps offer freedom to form new relationships and explore identities. In Thai culture, which traditionally valued discretion in matters of romance, dating apps offer both opportunity and risks. The anonymity and instant messaging features can bypass cultural taboos, sometimes facilitating encounters that would not otherwise occur. This has led scholars such as Prof. Pawinee Tansakul at Mahidol University to call for a “21st-century update” to sex education, one which incorporates digital realities: “Educators and parents need to understand that swiping has real-world consequences. Empowering young people with practical skills, not just moral warnings, is critical.”
Globally, similar trends have emerged. Studies in Europe and the United States find that dating app users—especially university students—report higher levels of sexual risk behaviors compared to peers who meet partners through traditional means JAMA Network. Despite these patterns, researchers emphasize that the apps themselves are not the cause; rather, the risk comes from how individuals use them, combined with broader gaps in sexual health knowledge and communication.
This research arrives at a sensitive moment for Thailand, as the government weighs new strategies to improve youth health outcomes. While some educators worry that stricter regulation of dating apps could infringe on digital freedoms, others argue that technology companies must do more to educate users about safe behaviors. Some apps, for instance, have begun offering in-app sexual health resources and reminders, but coverage remains uneven. In a recent Ministry of Education survey, over 60% of Thai university students said they had received no guidance on digital safety in relation to intimate relationships UNICEF Thailand.
Not all responses have been uniform. Social conservatives warn of a decline in traditional Thai values, while youth advocates argue for more open, honest conversations about sexuality. “The key is not to shame students, but to equip them with knowledge and decision-making tools,” says Dr. Benjamas Jitwannakul, a leading sex education researcher. “จำไว้นะลูก,” she says—a Thai phrase meaning “remember, my child”—“your safety comes first, always.”
Looking ahead, public health experts suggest that future interventions should focus on digital literacy, clear communication about consent, and easy access to STI testing. Simple preventative steps—such as carrying condoms, discussing sexual history with partners, and setting app-based reminders for testing—could go far in reducing risks. Some universities in Thailand have begun offering workshops that address both digital and sexual health, though coverage is uneven and faces resistance from more conservative segments of society.
As awareness grows, it’s crucial for Thai families, educators, and policy makers to make health conversations more open and less stigmatized. Students must be encouraged to balance freedom and fun with responsibility and self-care. Whether through school curriculum reforms, targeted app-based interventions, or peer support programs, the health and happiness of young Thais depend on adjusting to this fast-changing digital landscape.
Practical recommendations for Thai students and parents include: getting regular STI screenings, being honest with partners about sexual health, using protection consistently, and seeking expert advice when questions arise. Parents should strive to talk openly about relationships and safe sex, using language that is both culturally respectful and rooted in facts. Meanwhile, government agencies and private companies must collaborate on campaigns that combine digital safety with sexual health, ensuring that every young Thai is equipped to thrive in the era of dating apps.
For those interested in learning more or seeking help, resources such as the Ministry of Public Health hotline or youth-friendly clinics like Love Care Station can provide confidential advice. In this rapidly evolving digital world, the greatest strength for Thai youth will be the ability to make informed, thoughtful choices—both online and offline.
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