Use and Perceptions of the Internet for Sexual Information and Partners: A Study of Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

Abstract

The Internet has opened many doors with its accessibility to information, entertainment and webbased communities. For young men who have sex with men (YMSM), the Internet can provide access to information on relevant sexual behavior and health information, stories from other men about relationship issues, and a venue for locating potential sexual and dating partners. Understanding YMSM's motivations for going online for information, advice or sexual relationships, is important as the Internet becomes increasingly used not only as a space to find sexual partners, but also as a venue for HIV and STI interventions. Having an understanding of the risks associated with searching for partners online, and how and why YMSM use the Internet for a variety of purposes, can inform the development of more effective Internet-based risk reduction programs. This manuscript presents qualitative and quantitative data from the Healthy Young Men's Study, a longitudinal study of an ethnically diverse cohort of 526 YMSM. Qualitative interviews (N=24) described not only the prevalence of using the Internet for finding sexual partners and the possible benefits and risks associated with that practice, but also the processes and perceptions of using this mechanism. Our data indicate that YMSM use the Internet to find information related to sex and sexuality, seek friendships, sexual partners as well as "hook-ups" or casual sex. Findings are presented in relation to how YMSM researchers and interventionists can identify how to most effectively reach YMSM through online methods.

Spatial Distribution of Partner-Seeking Men Who Have Sex With Men Using Geosocial Networking Apps: Epidemiologic Study (Preprint)

“…), to meet sex partners [6]. GSN apps provide information on geographic proximity between users making sexual partner-seeking quick and convenient [7][8][9][10]. Research among MSM who use GSN apps to find sex partners have shown mixed results regarding the relationship between GSN app use and risky sexual practices.…”

The Relationship Between Self-Reported Sexually Explicit Media Consumption and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China

“…One study in China has reported that SOI behavior and desire sub-scale scores were associated with online sexual activity (including SEM viewing) 42 . Other studies have reported that unrestricted sociosexuality was associated with a greater odds of 21 43 and greater number lifetime sex partners 44,45 .…”

“…For example, viewing SEM may aid in the learning of performing same-sex sex 20,21 ; promote self-recognition of same-sex attractions 20,22 ; and clarify sexual self-labels 23 . However, SEM depicting male same-sex acts often contain several potentially risky sexual behaviors known to be associated with STI risk, including UAI, ejaculation in the mouth (EM), and ejaculation in/on or rubbed into the anus (EA) 24 .…”

Global travel and HIV/STI epidemics among MSM: what does the future hold?

“…23 The Healthy Young Men's study, a longitudinal cohort study among US YMSM, found that the Internet was the most common way that study participants found their last sexual partners. 24 One YMSM study in Los Angeles found that two-thirds of respondents who used Grindr reported using the smartphone application to meet a sex partner. 25 Based on these available data, sex partners met during travel may be more likely to have met online than in person.…”