This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for a UK audience.
In a world where online dating and casual hookups have become the norm, dating can still feel exhausting. Sometimes, just the thought of putting on the right outfit, coming up with witty conversation starters, and getting to and from the actual party location can be tiring.
No matter what kind of encounter you plan, when it comes to dating, there’s always going to be some physical effort involved. good news?There is one Vulnerability: Sexting.
What is sexting?
Sexting is the art of sending sexually explicit photos or messages to one or more people via text. Due to its recent popularity, there are now apps for sexting, as well as new sexting features in apps for in-person dating.
What do you need to know about sexting?
Whether you’re interested in trying sexting or you’re a seasoned pro, there are a few things to keep in mind when downloading and sexting with a new dating app. Of course, there are fewer taboos when looking for a new sexting partner than when looking for a long-term lover, but there are some rules you should follow so that all parties feel at ease. Here are the three big ones:
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mutual respect — Assess the situation and understand your audience. Often, it only takes a few pre-sexts (or pre-sexts) to tell if someone is interested in engaging in online sex with you. Before you do something raunchy and unnecessary, take the time to figure this out. That said, don’t start throwing dick pics at people left and right if they don’t ask for it.
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trust each other — Respect: Privacy is sacred. The internet has a terrifying ability to make fleeting moments permanent. If someone asks you to keep something secret, do it. While sexting can be easy and fun, it also requires a high level of trust. If you betray that trust, you destroy everyone’s trust.
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privacy — No app can completely protect your privacy – it’s your job. While some apps have certain features designed to protect your identity/content, they do not exclude all situations. For example, someone doesn’t need to take a screenshot to capture the picture you sent. They can easily use another phone or device to take or record your photos and/or videos. You should always keep this in mind before sending anything potentially damaging and do your best to make sure you trust the person receiving the message.
Keep these points in mind when engaging in NSFW messaging.
Should you sext?
Real-life dating is obviously the best way to get to know someone long-term, especially if you’re looking for any serious, face-to-face relationship. Real sex is always better than sexting. However, sexting is an alternative that may help you in ways you never thought possible.
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convenient — Whether you’re planning on wining and dining on a date or just hooking up, it always takes a little extra effort. Sexting can actually be a saving grace for those with super busy schedules or those who don’t have room in their lives (for whatever reason) to have a stable, face-to-face relationship. After all, your libido doesn’t go away just because you’re busy. Sexting allows you to satisfy your sexual needs without getting yourself into trouble.
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Explore trust and intimacy — Being in close proximity with another person doesn’t always come naturally to everyone — but choosing to sext gives way to new levels of exploration in intimacy and trust. You don’t have to meet the person behind the screen if you don’t want to, but being able to practice feeling vulnerable without any strings attached can be a great lesson in being more open.
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free — As is the case with most behind-the-scenes activities, through sexting you can release your inhibitions and explore your sexual side comfortably. Knowing that there is a certain barrier between you and the other person may lead you to try out language and ideas that you wouldn’t explore in person.
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pleasure – Please be honest. A night of sexting is always a lot more fun than endlessly swiping right on dating apps and starting the same conversations over and over again. Having the option to open an app on your phone and engage in some virtual foreplay can provide instant gratification and (almost) guaranteed pleasure.
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Safety — We’ve already touched on the possible causes of sexting It’s not entirely safe when it comes to privacy, but to its credit, sexting offers an element of security that face-to-face meetings don’t have. Sexting allows you to interact with people you know and complete strangers without putting yourself in danger or unnecessary physical situations. Your experience should always go the way you want it to, and with sexting, if it doesn’t go the way you want, just close the app.
The benefits are obvious to all, so why not give it a try?
What makes an app suitable for sexting?
If you plan on sexting, there are certain features you need to look for in an app:
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Easy to use — You don’t want to find yourself in the middle of a heated conversation trying to figure out how to attach an image or voice note. When it comes to sexting, the more user-friendly a platform is, the better. You’ll want something efficient and fast.
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Privacy features — What happens in a sexting app doesn’t always stay in a sexting app; there’s no guarantee that your conversation or selfie won’t be screenshotted on someone’s phone. That said, some apps include instant self-destruct functionality that can delete photos and conversations after a certain amount of time.
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Safety — If you’re looking for a night of online fun with no strings attached, it doesn’t matter if the person on the other end of the conversation is verified — but if you do want to make sure you’re not being verified, catfished, or chatting with a bot, Consider using apps that link to social media or authenticate users.
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Subscription pricing vs. free features — How much are you willing to pay for additional features? There are some free apps, but if you’re looking for something more advanced, you can pay a few pounds a month to get premium features.
With these features in mind, you should be ready to pick an app and start sexting. You’ve got this.
What is the best sexting app?
Because sexting essentially accompanies There are many factors to consider (e.g., consent and privacy), we’ve picked out the best sexting apps to help you out – and that’s a good start. We try to offer something for everyone, so check out the options and choose your favorite.
These are the best sexting apps of 2024.