#Stirisk

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.

A recent study highlights a concerning link between dating app use and higher-risk sexual behaviors among university students. The findings, summarized in Frontiers in Public Health, underscore Thailand’s long-running push to improve sexual health education and digital literacy for youth.

With dating apps now central to student life in Thai universities, educators are rethinking how to address real-world risks. Thailand’s youth are among the most digitally connected in the world, and easy access to potential partners can coincide with unprotected sex, multiple partners, and increased exposure to sexually transmitted infections. The research shows that these risks are more common among students who use dating apps.