A 2018 Northwestern study found that more than half of sexually active gay and bisexual adolescent boys had used Grindr to find a sexual partner. Often, this leads to boys lying about their age online in order to meet others, putting them at risk for sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. This is especially alluring for young men and boys who do not have people in their social circles or families with LGBTQ identities. The dating app Grindr, used predominantly by males seeking males, is one of the few places that young gay men recognize as an online forum to meet other gay people. Instances of LGBTQ commercial sexual exploitation are even more underreported than instances of heterosexual commercial sexual exploitation, yet a 2016 national study found that almost one-third of young people in the commercial sex industry are boys and young men.

While women are predominantly portrayed in the media as survivors of commercial sexual exploitation, and the illegal sex trade predominantly impacts women and girls, identities within the LGBTQ+ community often go unnoticed.