Tinder

A new report from the Rhode Island Department of Health links an uptick in STD cases to the use of social media hook up apps such as Tinder.

According to the report, the number of infectious syphilis cases increased by 79%, gonorrhea cases increased by 30% and the number of newly-identified HIV cases increased by nearly 33%. The researchers linked these increases to “high-risk behaviors include using social media to arrange casual and often anonymous sexual encounters, having sex without a condom, having multiple sex partners, and having sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”

The increase in Rhode Island follows a national trend according to the report.

When using Tinder, don’t forget to practice safe sex.

Photo: Tinder