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This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the 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 proper clothes, coming up with witty conversation starters, and commuting to the actual meetup spot can be tiring. No matter what kind of encounter you plan, when it comes to dating, there'll always be some sort of physical effort required.
The good news? There is a loophole: Sexting. Sexting is the art of sending sexually explicit photos or messages to one or more people via text. Thanks to its recent rise in popularity , there are now apps for sexting and new sexting features in apps that are otherwise for dating in person. Whether you're interested in giving sexting a try or you're a seasoned pro, there are a few things to keep in mind when downloading and using a new dating app to sext. Sure, there are fewer inhibitions when scoring a new sexting partner when compared to finding a long-term lover, but there are rules you should follow in order for all parties to feel at ease.
Here are three big ones:. Mutual respect — Assess the situation and know your audience. Usually, it doesn't take much more than a few pre-sext texts or pre-sexts to gauge whether or not someone is interested in doing the cyber-dirty with you. Take the time to figure that out before you lead with something raunchy and uncalled-for. AKA, don't just start throwing dick pics at people left and right if they didn't ask. Mutual trust — Be respectful: Privacy is sacred. The internet has the scary ability to make fleeting moments very permanent.
If someone asks you to keep something to yourself, do it. While sexting can be light and fun, it also requires a serious level of trust. If you betray that trust, you're ruining it for everybody. Privacy — No app can completely protect your privacy for you — that's your job. For example, someone doesn't need to take a screenshot to capture a picture you send.
