ABSTRACT
Everyday millions of adolescents and young adults take potentially life-altering risks, including not using a condom when having sex. Sadly, nearly half of all new HIV infections are contracted in adolescence and young adulthood (Fisher, Fisher, Bryan, & Misovich, 2002). Although HIV is increasingly prevalent among heterosexual individuals, over 18,000 men who have sex with men (MSM) are newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS annually, representing 70% of all male adults and adolescents diagnosed, and 51% of all newly diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS in 2004 (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2006). Among those 18 to 30, younger MSM engage in more risky sexual behaviors (MacKellar, et al., 2005; Xia et al., 2006). Despite these numbers, progress in stemming new HIV cases seems stalled. One reason may be that a younger, tech-savvy generation of MSM may “tune out,” or disregard conventional prevention messages (for a review, see Wolitski & Valdiserri, 2001, pp. 883-884).
