Free Condoms encourages safe poking

Developers Alex Page and Alan Brown have created a Free Condom application whose tagline is “Poke Safely.”

Of course there are some caveats. Merely adding the app doesn’t automatically qualify you for free latex. Instead, you earn “bangin’ bucks” by recruiting friends to the application, or by signing up for various services, most of which appear to be ringtone companies. 

The application has created controversy in all the usual places — there are already two discussion groups on the board called “condoms are the Devil’s work” and “Abstinence Increases Chances of Success in Life” — and also in some unusual places, as the third discussion group claims that “Durex Condoms Suck!!!” (Durex is the designer label on the freebies you’ll receive from your bangin’ proselytizing.)

But despite some obvious drawbacks, the application is probably a good idea. It’s certainly a bull’s-eye target for Facebook’s college-age demographic, many of whom might actually be pretty delighted about a chance to combine the all-important style points of ringtones and sex. And while buying condoms might still be embarrassing for some college kids, buying ringtones never seems to bother them.

Free Condoms also measures up well against other Facebook condom offers, such as the CondomHall.com promotion, where those who promote Condom Hall on Facebook might be qualified to win free condoms. (Interesting side fact: Condom Hall’s website promises four ways for students to get free condoms, one of which is buying condoms. Seems to be some confusion here.)

 The internet, being the internet, does offer some genuine ways to get free condoms shipped to you, without paying for them or for ringtones. However, the intriguing part of the Free Condoms application is the public nature of the beast. Joining the application is essentially an announcement to your peers that you’re having safe sex (or you hope to have it someday) and you’re not ashamed. In a country that’s still debating the merits of talking about sex at all, this is a valuable addition to youth culture.

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