A Nottingham doctor says dating apps are fuelling a rise in sexually transmitted diseases in the area.
The smart phone programmes are used by millions throughout the UK and often match people up based on their proximity.
But medical professionals say some people are using them them purely to boost their casual sex lives, and in some cases are getting caught out by not taking the proper precautions.
Dr Marcus Bicknell, a GP at Beechdale Surgery, Bilborough, said he was worried some people could be getting infections after meeting someone using the technology.
It’s a bit scary – people need to be careful
He said: “It creates issues about your sexual health, If you’ve got people who have never met before who are meeting just for sex.
“I think it’s a bit scary – and people need to be careful.”
Video: Dr Bicknell outlines the risks which could come from using dating apps
Public Health England recently released national figures showing a 33 per cent rise in syphilis cases last year and a 19 per cent increase in gonorrhoea diagnoses.
The gonorrhoea statistics are especially startling given that 50 per cent of women and 10 per cent of men don’t experience any symptoms and are unaware that they have the infection.
And Nottingham has one of the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections in the UK – with around 800 cases of gonorrhoea reported each year.
“People need to be really careful about practising safe sex, that’s the best message I can give really,” added Dr Bicknell.
“If you want to use these apps and date and have sex with someone that you’ve only just met then you’ve got to practice safe sex.
Picture: Graph showing vast increase in gonorrhoea diagnosesin England in recent years
“I’m the last person to tell people what to do if they do it legally in their private lives but it’s got to be safe and you’ve got to look after yourself.
“We have seen a real rise in sexually transmitted infection in this country and Nottingham itself is challenged by that. We want to help our public to be safe and healthy.”
Several Nottingham students told Notts TV News the app Tinder is particularly popular in the city among young people looking for dates and casual sex.
According to online statistics firm Digital Marketing Ramblings, the app has 50 million users in total with an average of 12 million matches per day.
Notts TV’s Kate Chaplin went to speak to some Trent first years about how they use Tinder and other apps:
Video: Notts TV’s Kate Chaplin chat to Nottingham Trent University students about Tinder
Tinder did not respond to a request for comment.
