Sexting has become a staple among young people in committed relationships. As fading stigma around sex makes way for experimentation, sex-related tech is becoming commonplace in healthy love lives, as the way couples communicate changes.

As public concern over sexual harassment and abuse grows, people are wising up to the darker side of online dating. The veil of anonymity provided has obvious pitfalls, with 10% of sexual offenders using such platforms to meet people. Additionally, dating app-related crimes and sexual abuse are on the rise, and Tinder, Plenty of Fish and Grindr have been criticised for taking little action against harassment. In response, the likes of Bumble, Blume, and Gatsby have attracted users by taking safety more seriously, introducing measures such as verification procedures and background checks.

The emergence of female-focused dating, transportation and security apps is indicative of the fact that women’s freedom of movement in everyday life is often curtailed by the threat of violence. Yet as these services often don’t increase access to public spaces, what can be done differently?

People are clamouring over erotic virtual reality experiences, with young men in Asia leading this demand. With a generation that’s grown up with internet porn looking for something a little more stimulating, the immersive offering of VR is proving popular.