Introduction

Although adolescent sexual minority men (ASMM) use sexual networking applications (SNAs), little is known about their reasons to start and stop using these apps.

Methods

Between February and April 2018, 156 ASMM in the USA aged 15–17 completed an online survey and answered open-ended questions that elicited their reasons to start and stop using SNAs. We analyzed responses through an inductive thematic analysis.

Results

The most frequent reasons to use SNAs were to find users to date, and to establish friendships or socially connect with other users due to loneliness. Participants reported positive feelings using SNAs because they were connecting with other SMM. However, participants also reported negative sentiments after receiving unwanted sexually explicit messages. The most frequently cited reason to stop using SNAs was the feeling of only receiving messages for sex rather than for starting relationships or friendships.

Conclusions

ASMM have various reasons for initiating SNAs and perceived benefits and drawbacks. Although some ASMM may expect to, and are successful in, finding dating partners and friends on SNAs, many received unwanted sexually explicit messages that produced negative sentiments of SNAs.

Policy Implications

Creating online and offline spaces for ASMM to socially connect with other sexual minority adolescents is crucial. Youth-serving professionals should assess SNA use with ASMM clients and be prepared to provide education or counseling about their use and its potential sexual, social, and mental health implications. Sexuality education should include content on the usage, safety, and alternatives of SNAs to explore sexuality and social connectedness.

中文翻译：

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在性少数男性中开始和停止使用性网络应用程序的动机

介绍

尽管青少年性少数男性 (ASMM) 使用性网络应用程序 (SNA)，但人们对他们开始和停止使用这些应用程序的原因知之甚少。

方法

2018 年 2 月至 4 月期间，美国 156 名年龄在 15-17 岁之间的 ASMM 完成了一项在线调查并回答了开放式问题，这些问题引出了他们开始和停止使用 SNA 的原因。我们通过归纳主题分析来分析回答。

结果

使用 SNA 的最常见原因是寻找迄今为止的用户，以及由于孤独而与其他用户建立友谊或社交联系。参与者使用 SNA 报告了积极的感觉，因为他们与其他 SMM 建立了联系。然而，参与者在收到不受欢迎的露骨色情信息后也报告了负面情绪。停止使用 SNA 的最常被引用的原因是感觉只接收性信息而不是建立关系或友谊。

结论

ASMM 启动 SNA 的原因有很多，并且有很多优点和缺点。尽管一些 ASMM 可能期望并成功地在 SNA 上找到约会对象和朋友，但许多人收到了不受欢迎的露骨色情信息，从而产生了 SNA 的负面情绪。

政策影响

为 ASMM 创建在线和离线空间以与其他性少数青少年进行社交联系至关重要。为青年服务的专业人员应与 ASMM 客户评估 SNA 的使用，并准备提供有关其使用及其潜在的性、社会和心理健康影响的教育或咨询。性教育应包括有关 SNA 的使用、安全和替代方案的内容，以探索性和社会联系。