Durex wants condom emojis to be launched ahead of World AIDS Day 2015

With World AIDS Day 2015 edging ever closer – Durex, a leading global sexual well-being brand has launched a worldwide campaign calling for the creation of the world’s first official safe sex condom emojis.

Emojis are a crucial part of how young couples connect and research suggests that the creation of official safe sex emojis is vital to inserting messages around protection into their sexual conversations.

Global research commissioned by the Durex brand further reveals that emojis play a vital role in young people’s conversations around sex. This research also unearthed some concerning data around the rise in apathy towards engaging in safer sexual practices:

“In light of this research, the Durex brand is asking 1 million people to use and share the hashtag #CondomEmoji to represent their support of the creation of the world’s first official safe sex emojis by the Unicode Consortium,” says Karen Chisholm, Marketing Director, Durex USA. “Emojis of this sort will enable young people to overcome embarrassment around the discussion of safe sex, encourage conversation and raise awareness of the importance of using condoms in protecting against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV and AIDS.”

The social support captured by the Durex brand will be included in the official safe sex emoji submission to the Unicode Consortium on World AIDS Day (December 1, 2015).

“Many young people have gained their sexual knowledge through their own sexual activity and searching the internet,” explains Dr. Mark McCormack, Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Co-Director, Centre for Sex, Gender and Sexualities at Durham University, UK. “While participants generally felt able to discuss safe sex within their romantic relationships, there was more uncertainty with new or potential partners. Eighty percent welcomed the idea of the emoji to make the discussion of safe sex easier and more fun.”

Volker Sydow, Global Director Durex says: “Durex believes in happier, healthier sex lives and World AIDS Day is a hugely significant reminder about the importance of safe sex. Looking at how influential messaging is in the development of relationships today, an official safe sex emoji is a simple and empowering step towards better protection and sexual wellbeing.