If you were completely honest with yourself, you’d probably admit that you’re more charming on the internet than in person. Talking is hard and there’s an expectation to respond immediately that requires a lot of extra thinking and attentiveness. That’s why instant messaging through social networking websites are so popular because they give you those extra few seconds to think of something really witty.
Apparently sex workers are aware of this as well.
According to a recent study, the internet is becoming one of the fastest growing avenues for pimps and prostitutes to connect and chat with potential johns. This is most likely due to the fact that people are more comfortable flirting recklessly on the internet, and before they know it they’re arranging to meet someone to pay for sex.
How clever!
The report was released by the Urban Institute last week and claims these websites help sex workers expand their business and even mask their illegal activities. MySpace, in particular, was recognized as being one of the more popular websites used by johns to solicit sex. Maybe you can put a bunch of hookers in your top eight now?
Contrary to what NCIS and CSI would have us believe, most law enforcement agencies are still well behind on popular internet trends and services. While anyone who has watched TV in the last decade knows the potential risk of trying to pick up a prostitute on the street, police seem to have a harder time keeping up with what’s going on with the interwebs. One officer called this growing trend an “internet takeover.”
Relating a story of a prostitute who told police about her online presence, he said:
“One of the other things is the MySpace, and MocoSpace. Believe it or not, people still use them, and the ones that are using them are usually younger, and pimps are on there like crazy. […]The economy is out of control now. Way bigger than the ’90s. We got Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, all this for pimps and for people, not just [for advertising] hos, but for merchandise.”
And to think you’re using Facebook to simply pretend that you still care about friends and family you haven’t spoken to in years!