THE RAINBOW PROJECT // STAYING SAFE
STAYING SAFE
THIS FESTIVE SEASON ADVICE FROM THE RAINBOW PROJECT
WHETHER IT’S GRINDR, SCRUFF OR Tinder, there’s nothing unusual about using a phone app to find dates and hook-ups. Thousands of people use these apps everyday in Northern Ireland and the vast majority without any incident – but in recent months a number of gay/bi men they met on dating apps have been blackmailed and had their intimate photos circulated to friends and colleagues, the need to be cautious is real. In the time of writing this article, COVID-19 is still happening. We are advising that you stay at home and minimise your contact with others to stop the spread. But if you are going to hook up, we are advising you to hook up safely with others and, if you can, avoid sexual conduct with those
EIGHTY SIX // GNIMAG.COM
exhibiting symptoms, which include fever and a cough. COVID-19 is spread through touching infected surfaces as well as from coughing or kissing. In recent years, we have seen gay/bi men in Northern Ireland be targeted by so-called ‘paedophile hunters’ over the Grindr app. These vigilantes create fake accounts to entrap gay/bi men by asking the person to engage in sexual conversation and swapping pictures. If you’re talking to someone online, ask them their age or ask them to send other social media accounts to prove who they are. If you think you may be communicating with someone under the age of 18 on an app, report it to the app or police.
I don’t want to be the Christmas Grinch telling you not to hook up because of COVID-19 or safety concerns. I just want you to be safe and think about it before you hit send on that message. The majority of people on apps are just like you: looking for hook-up, possible romance or someone to hang out with. It’s a lot of fun to engage in online chats or play, but you need to be aware of the potential privacy risks that come with apps such as Grindr. It’s exciting to meet someone new — even if you know it’s not going to last. Whether you’re looking for some casual sex or are just looking to send some naughty photos back and forth – here is a few things to keep in mind. Not every person who is on these apps is a real person.
