Grindr and its Negative Effects on Queer Youth

For many queer youths, Grindr is all too familiar. For those unaware, it’s quite simple. Grindr is a social platform where queer individuals, primarily queer men, are able to connect with one another for the purpose of hooking up. While the app can theoretically function for other uses, such as finding dates or making friends, the culture surrounding the app is heavily associated with sex or sexual activity. With over 11 million active monthly users internationally, the platform is no stranger to the queer community. Although Grindr is seen as an easy way to have casual sex, we need to take a deeper look at the dynamics, interactions, and accepted behaviors on this app. By doing so, it can be seen that Grindr harbors a plethora of damaging, dangerous, and outright illegal issues that need to be unpacked, questioned, and expunged. 

Whether it is teenagers being groomed online or the unhealthy acceptance of sexualization and fetishization of minority groups, there is a reason why Grindr has a reputation for being a negative space. 

First of all, virtually anyone can create a Grindr account, including those underage. Although technically only those 18+ are allowed on the app, there is nothing substantial stopping minors from creating an account and partaking in activities that Grindr enables. It is not an understatement to say that Grindr facilitates and enables statutory rape, catfishing, and unhealthy sexual activity. 

In 2019, Robert Jacob, the ex-California major, was convicted of sex crimes against a 15-year-old boy whom he met on Grindr. Jacob was aware that the victim was underage and still engaged in sexual activity with him for two years. Fortunately, after the victim discontinued contact with Jacob, they reported it to the authorities, and Jacob is now a registered sex offender. 

This is only one of the many instances in which minors are groomed on the app and grown men are able to take advantage of teenagers trying to explore their sexuality. Grindr as a company has continuously been trying to address the issues that its platform creates while simultaneously turning a blind eye to the real root of the problem: the app itself. Gindr has posted on their social media accounts addressing some of the concerns that many regarding culture surrounding the app, still, they have made little-to-no changes in the app's interface or restrictions that would facilitate any healthy change. The company allows underaged individuals to become victims and for the app to continue to perpetuate the unhealthy hookup culture that plagues the gay community.

In addition to the detriments already discussed, Grindr is also a platform that enables harmful physical standards and the dehumanization or objectification of other queer men. When queer men only see one another as sexual objects, this allows for racism, fatphobia, and other prejudices to seep into dating culture. In fact, the unhealthy use of gay dating apps may keep gay men from finding lasting long-term relationships.

“No fats. No femmes. No Asians.” This phrase is not surprising to see while on Grindr, and that’s the issue. It can be extremely damaging to queer youth to be exposed to these harmful ideas on what is acceptable and desirable in the gay community. These ideas can warp their perception of themselves and of others, resulting in detrimental sexual habits and harmful standards. 

This is not to say that hookup culture is inherently bad or that hooking up is immoral in any way. In fact, casual sex can be healthy, fun, and safe. However, we must acknowledge the toxicity that Gindr, or at least the way it is used today, brings to queer youth without them even fully realizing the harm it may cause. 

The reason that many use this app is for the momentary pleasure and affirmation it may provide. Feeling sexually attractive and desirable can be comforting when dealing with a world that scrutinizes individuals based on their sexuality. It can be a space to escape. But this solution will also be temporary and can result in worsened situations.

It can be confusing navigating your sexuality. It can be tempting to see an app like Grindr, one that is filled with other queer individuals and is a space where you can be seen as sexually desirable. However, Grindr is not the place for innocent exploration, no matter how normalized the app is within the community.

There are plenty of more damaging behaviors surrounding Gindr that I could talk about, and that’s honestly a horrifying truth. Although many find solace through this app, sexual misconduct, harassment, and illegal activity are too normalized. We must not allow our queer youth to partake in a hookup culture that doesn’t advocate for safe and responsible sex; and Grindr thrives on constant perpetuation of these habits. 

To Grindr (obviously doubt you’re reading this though): do better. Don’t jeopardize the safety of queer youth or promote your platform for the sake of sexual freedom when sexual atrocities occur on a daily basis.

To young queer folk: I urge you to be safe, be responsible. Let’s get one thing straight, I’m not saying queer men can’t or shouldn’t partake in hookups or one-night stands, I’m simply advocating for the practice of safe, consensual, responsible sex.

Sources:

Clayton, Courtney. “How Using Grindr Can Lead to Mental Health Problems.” Medium, https://medium.com/be-unique/how-using-grindr-can-lead-to-mental-health-problems-9a7be85e78b0. Accessed 12 March 2023.

“Grindr Announces Third Quarter 2022 and Year to Date Results After Listing on New York Stock Exchange.” Investor Relations, 5 December 2022, https://investors.grindr.com/news/news-details/2022/Grindr-Announces-Third-Quarter-2022-and-Year-to-Date-Results-After-Listing-on-New-York-Stock-Exchange/default.aspx. Accessed 12 March 2023.

“GRINDR Policies Allegedly Led to Sexual Assault of an Underage Child - Sexual Harassment Attorney New York City | Philadelphia | Miami | Los Angeles | San Francisco.” Derek Smith Law Group, https://discriminationandsexualharassmentlawyers.com/news/grindr-policies-allegedly-led-to-sexual-assault-of-an-underage-child/. Accessed 12 March 2023.

Lauder, Jo. “Grindr features failing to protect users from sexual predators, harassment - triple j.” ABC, 21 October 2020, https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/grindr-features-fail-to-protect-users-from-sexual-predators,-ha/12802376. Accessed 12 March 2023.

Patel, Arti. “'No Black, no Asian': Racism in the LGBTQ2 dating community - National | Globalnews.ca.” Global News, 15 June 2019, https://globalnews.ca/news/5390380/racism-dating-apps/. Accessed 12 March 2023.

Richards, Tori. “Ex-California mayor convicted of sex crimes against boy he met on Grindr.” Washington Examiner, 30 January 2023, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/crime/ex-california-mayor-convicted-sex-crimes-boy-met-grindr. Accessed 12 March 2023.