Future of Sex
tagline
  • Remote Sex
  • Virtual Sex & Entertainment
  • Robots
  • Human Augmentation
  • Sex Tech
  • Dating & Relationships
  • Bizarre Bazaar 18+
  • Future of Sex Community
  • Remote Sex
  • Virtual Sex & Entertainment
  • Robots
  • Human Augmentation
  • Sex Tech
  • Dating & Relationships
  • Bizarre Bazaar 18+
  • Future of Sex Community
Hot News

Will Snapchat’s AR Glasses Stifle Erotic Imagination or Open Exciting New Literary Possibilities?

Future of Sex is supported by our readers. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Home > Dating & Relationships > Is Pandemic-Induced Virtual Dating Here to Stay?

Dating & Relationships
Home›Dating & Relationships›Is Pandemic-Induced Virtual Dating Here to Stay?

Is Pandemic-Induced Virtual Dating Here to Stay?

By M. Christian
June 3, 2021
1491
0

A new survey reveals that 94% of people who had virtual sex during the pandemic enjoyed the experience.

Tinder Warning

For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it looks like our long months of isolation may finally be coming to an end in the United States and Canada.

How soon we’ll be able to return to a semblance of pre-pandemic life is anyone’s guess. What is clear is, if vaccinations continue and necessary precautions stay in place to help prevent further outbreaks, we will eventually be able to get out there, and even meet and date other people.

Shocking, I know. Perhaps even more shockingly, the pandemic may have changed how we connect, hook up, or have sex: giving us a world where virtual experiences remain popular—or maybe even preferred.

Virtual dating and sex are on the rise

Image of a Girl with Beautiful Eyes Wearing Mask

It’s an interesting quirk of human nature that we can adapt to unusual circumstances, and eventually feel a sense of normalcy about a relatively new situation.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a perfect example, as many have developed unexpected new ways to cope with its economic impact, health concerns, and especially social isolation.

Sextech and online dating sites, for instance, have seen an unexpected surge in interest. According to an article in the National Post, Tinder reported swipes during 2020 rose 11%, and matches between users rose 42%. Those numbers make 2020 Tinder’s busiest year to date.

And dating itself has changed dramatically since the start of the pandemic. A recent survey completed by the beverage manufacturer Basic Hard Seltzer of two thousand Millenials and Generation Z folks, found that 58% of participants had played around with virtual sex during the pandemic.

Of that number, 75% reported it had been their first time engaging in virtual sex. 25% of recipients said they left physical intimacy behind and instead opted to go entirely virtual. Meanwhile, 33% connected virtually and physically met up with their partners.

The definition of virtual sex given to the participants was broad: it included nudity and dirty-talking, one person masturbating, and both people masturbating.

An enjoyable experience

Screenshot of People Enjoying VR and Music

This increase in virtual sex during the pandemic is not all that unexpected. However, it is interesting to note that the same survey revealed that 56% of participants enjoyed this different dating scene, and only 44% are eager to get back to the way things were before the pandemic.

More impressively, of those who tried virtual sex, 94% enjoyed it.

Reporting on the survey, the Chicago Tribune asked the founder of Lakeview-based center Embrace Sexual Wellness, Jennifer Litner, who is also a certified sex therapist, for her opinion on virtual sex. Litner said it was “a nice option for a lot of people (because) it can kind of provide an avenue for connection with another person in a way that is a little bit safer.”

One final tidbit, which appears to validate Litner’s opinion: 77% of the survey participants said their virtual experiences were with someone they hadn’t been previously physically intimate with.

Can we go back to the way things were?

Screenshot of Holding Hands of Couple Over a Beach

Despite how much we say we can’t wait for life to return to “normal,” we should be prepared to face the reality that COVID-19 has shaken things up so much that life won’t ever be the same.

The pandemic has undoubtedly had a huge emotional impact on most folks. For over a year, we’ve had to wear masks, socially distance, and stay at home as much as possible. When the all-clear is finally sounded, and we’re able to emerge from our quarantines, it may be a slow, uncertain, and anxious time.

On top of that, the Basic Hard Seltzer survey reveals that a considerable number of people have come to prefer virtual sex and online dating, or a hybrid of virtual and in-person interactions, over traditional, in-person dating.

Online interactions offer physical safety

Virtual sex and online dating have more going for them than the perks of avoiding in-person interaction during a global pandemic. 

I’m talking safety—and not from contagions like COVID-19. By moving sex and dating online, we’re providing people with novel methods to reach out to others or have sex with them, without putting themselves at risk for physical abuse or assault.

Additionally, virtual interactions could provide a healthy avenue for folks with social anxiety, or for those who have physical challenges, for example.

The future remains uncertain

Image of Future on Board and Hands Showing Thumps Up

We can’t say what the future will look like. After all, we don’t know how the pandemic will shape tomorrow, let alone a year or more from now.

But, again, humans are adaptable. We have changed and will change as time goes on, taking what we like and leaving behind what we don’t. The rise of virtual dating and sex over the last year is a pertinent example of humanity’s willingness to change and grow.

The pandemic showed us the pleasures and potential of online and virtual experiences, and that habit may be one that sticks.

Image sources: Global Panorama, Olgierd, Guido van Nispen, RichardBH,
Mike Cohen

M. Christian

M.Christian (they/them) loves nothing better than exploring the intersections of sex and technology—and speculating on the future of both. A highly regarded erotica writer they have six novels,12 collections, 100+ short stories, and 25 anthologies as an editor to their name. Their non-fiction regularly appears in many sites, but they're most proud of being a regular contributor to Future of Sex.

Of their erotic fiction, Tristan Taormino said that “M.Christian is a literary stylist of th... e highest caliber: smart, funny, frightening, sexy—there's nothing [they] can't write about… and brilliantly.”

Reflecting their unique ability to sympathetically and convincingly write for a range of genders and sexual orientations, their stories have appeared in multiple editions of Best American Erotica, Best Gay Erotica, Best Lesbian Erotica, The Mammoth Books of Erotica, and others. Their collection of gay erotic fiction, Dirty Words, was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award.

While a majority of their stories have been collected into books like Dirty Words, their fondness for combining sex and science fiction is clearly evident in collections that include Rude Mechanicals, Technorotica, Better Than The Real Thing, Skin Effect Effect, Bachelor Machine, and Hard Drive: The Best Sci-Fi Erotica of M.Christian.

As a novelist, M.Christian’s versatility is on full display with Running Dry, The Very Bloody Marys, Brushes, Painted Doll; and the somewhat controversial queer BDSM/horror/thrillers Finger's Breadth, and Me2.

M.Christian has worked on the industry’s production side as an Associate Publisher for Renaissance E Books and as a Publisher for Digital Parchment Services. The latter dedicated to celebrating the works of science-fiction legends such as William Rotsler, Jerome Bixby, Jody Scott, Arthur Byron Cover, Ernest Hogan, and James Van Hise.

Covering topics like BDSM safety, sexual education, senior sexuality concerns, queer and gender issues, plus reviewing a variety of sex tech products, M.Christian’s non-fiction has appeared on sites like Kinkly, Tickle.Life, Sexpert, Queer Majority, Sex for Every Body, and—of course—their ongoing work for Future of Sex.

If there’s anything M.Christian enjoys more than writing, it’s teaching. A featured presenter, sometimes with their friend Ralph Greco Jr, at national sex and BDSM events, they have lectured on kink play (with an emphasis on safety), polyamory, boosting sexual creativity, and erotica writing--for beginners or those wanting to go pro.

M.Christian is a cohost on two popular sex-education podcasts: Love’s Outer Limits with Dr. Amy Marsh and Licking Non-Vanilla with Ralph Greco, Jr.
  
Previous Article

Registration Now Open for Virtual Congress on ...

Next Article

Racist Terminology Plagues Computing and BDSM Languages

Related articles More from author

  • The Good, The Bad and The Orwellian Large Banner
    Dating & RelationshipsSex Tech

    Futurist Ross Dawson on Sexbot Sex Educators, Virtual Dating, and the Risks and Rewards of Sex Tech

    June 26, 2020
    By M. Christian
  • Dating & Relationships

    Want to Keep Your Relationship Exciting for the Ages? Try These 5 Tips

    December 4, 2019
    By Sponsored Post
  • hotel window sexy silhouette
    Dating & RelationshipsRobots

    Desire for Casual Sex May Predict Less Interest in Sex Robots

    December 20, 2021
    By Connor Leshner
  • Dating & RelationshipsRobots

    Sophia the Robot Confuses Sex and Love—or Does She?

    December 13, 2019
    By M. Christian
  • Image of a Male Hand with Rings on Fingers and Tattoo on Wrist
    Dating & RelationshipsSex Tech

    Exploring Queerness By Switching Up My Vibrators

    June 10, 2021
    By Carolyn Stransky
  • Decorative image of two pills with sparkles exploding out against a white and pink background.
    Dating & Relationships

    How embracing my ADHD led to better orgasms

    May 25, 2022
    By Carolyn DeBarra

  • RobotsSex TechVirtual Sex & EntertainmentVirtual SexImmersive Entertainment

    Futurist Ross Dawson On The Future Of Sex: Sexbots, AI, and Unfolding Social Changes

  • Remote Sex

    RealTouch Can Bring the Teledildonics Conjugal Visit to Reality

  • Bikini Pole Dancer
    Virtual Sex & Entertainment

    Virtual Lap Dances Are a Saving Grace for Out-of-work Performers

Virtual Lust is a 3D interactive sex game.
3DXChat
Discover the best virtual sex parties and 3D sex worlds.
  • TOP REVIEWS

  • Harmony ai sex doll from RealDoll

    State of the Sexbot Market: The World’s Best Sex Robot and AI Sex Doll Companies ...

  • Realistic Sex Games

    Review of the Best Sex Games and Most Realistic Sex Simulators [UPDATED]

    0
  • Screenshot of a sexbot from adult entertainment game

    The Best Adult Games on Steam [UPDATED]

  • Screenshot of FeelConnect app future of interactivity intimacy available on Apple and Google Store

    The Best Sex Game Apps for Couples [UPDATED]

  • Project QT is the most popular RPG sex game at hentai sex game portal Nutaku.

    The Best RPG Sex Games [UPDATED]

Fantasy sex game Dream Sex World lets you explore your wildest desires.
Multiplayer sex world Red Light Center continues to impress with its massive userbase and incredible sex graphics.
A blonde and light-skinned love doll face sppears next to the text Go now realdollxthe future is real.

Like Us on Facebook

Newsletter Subscription

Sign up for our monthly newsletter sharing the very best of the future of sex from our publication and others across the web.

DreamSexWorld offers a stunning XXX 3D world filled with incredibly interactive erotic experiences.

Like Us On Facebook

Facebook Pagelike Widget

RLC_ad_v2

Tweets by @FutureofSex
Future of Sex Report

Follow us

  • Home
  • About
  • ADVERTISE
  • Contribute
  • Story Ideas
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© 2011 - 2022 Future Exploration Network
This website or its third-party tools use cookies to improve user experience and track affiliate sales. To learn more about why we need to use cookies, please refer to the Privacy Policy.

By clicking the agree button or continuing to browse through the website, you agree to the use of cookies. Accept Privacy Policy
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities...
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT