Planned Parenthood's new social media effort encourages users to show where they had sex

Here’s a social media experiment that we didn’t see coming. Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest has begun distributing 55,000 condoms to college students with QR codes, allowing students to anonymously “check in” and boast about where they’ve practiced safe sex. A Web site dubbed WhereDidYouWearIt.com chronicles all of the action, so you can see that folks are particularly frisky in Ballard or Bellevue or Bellingham.

“Did you just use a condom to protect yourself against unintended pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections? You go, tiger! Sex that (is) safe, should be shared,” declares the Web site.

The interactive map also includes comments from users. For example:

A 20 something guy and a girl whose relationship is just for fun and have already talked about safer sex and STDs used a condom in the bedroom to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. It was ah-maz-ing – rainbows exploded and mountains trembled.

And:

A 30 something guy and a guy whose relationship is non-existent and have not yet talked about safer sex and STDs used a condom at a party because their partner told them to. It was fair- a work in progress.

What’s the point of this unusual social media effort?

“We hope the site promotes discussions within relationships about condoms and helps to remove perceived stigmas that some people may have about condom use.  Where Did You Wear It attempts to create some fun around making responsible decisions,” said Nathan Engebretson, new media coordinator at Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest.

The effort was introduced as part of National Condom Week, with check-ins now recorded in 48 of 50 states and on six continents.

OK, we want to know: Which states are the hold outs?

UPDATE: We’re told that all 50 states are now represented (the holdouts were Maine and Vermont). There have been 955 check-ins worldwide, and the map has now received 9739 visits.

Here’s the map of the Seattle area where folks are having sex (or at least sharing it publicly).

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.