It’s official: There’s now an app for everything, even if it’s completely unnecessary and useless. Good2Go, which isn’t related to the Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme in any way (unfortunately), falls into this category and is borderline insulting to the college population and its issues.
Sexual consent is definitely a just concern, especially with all the recent sexual assault reports around San Diego State and the newly passed Yes Means Yes law, but Good2Go has to be the most dumb way to communicate consent.
Maybe I’m too old at the ripe age of 21 to understand young people, but what happened to communication by spoken words? It’s not like the app is any more advanced than just passing someone a piece of paper with sloppily scribbled questions — most people can easily ask those questions to begin with. It’s not a complicated procedure that requires an app for simplification. However, it is a terrifying rationalization that even when it comes to sexual consent, there’s a way to hide behind a screen in order to justify willingness, or lack thereof.
In addition to having an unoriginal name, Good2Go is an app for affirmative sexual consent. The individual with the app gives the person of interest his or her phone and the app proceeds to ask qualifying questions to determine level of consent. Given that both individuals want to have sex, the app questions level of intoxication. If it is determined that one or both members of the party are too drunk, Good2Go will not give the green light. After a few other taps regarding age and phone numbers to confirm identities, the app will process the results and give a final answer.
Good2Go has more holes in its logic than the most pierced individual in the Guinness World Records. The most obvious are decisions aren’t always set in stone. Anyone can change his or her mind, which immediately invalidates the necessity for the app’s existence. Yes means yes, but yes can become no really quickly and this is where the app falls terribly short. Although the app reminds both individuals of this apparently rare concept toward the end, the necessity for the reminder says more of our generation than the app.
Lee Ann Allman, Good2Go creator, told Slate Magazine the app is supposed to help college students who are worried with what’s going on, and are confused or unsure about approaching someone they’re interested in. She also said with kids being so used to their devices and technology, it often times helps them deal with personal issues.
I resent that viewpoint of college students for two reasons: First off, our generation isn’t reliant on technology to the point where we’re unable to make decisions. Second, taking advantage of another is inexcusable regardless of the situation. The only people who deserve to be worried are those worried about becoming victims. There’s no need for confusion because only a definite yes will work now, it’s not rocket science.
Good2Go could only potentially help those accused of rape; it will not help the victim in the slightest. The app isn’t a legally binding contract, so it’ll still be a he-said-she-said situation. It’s very likely it could also give some alcohol-logged, inhibited fool the wrong message by telling them they’re “good to go,” even upon hearing the words “no,” or “stop.”
Although it fails exponentially, Good2Go only brushes upon issues of rape and sexual assault in the college community. The only way these concerns can truly be combated is if the surrounding culture is reevaluated.
Perhaps I’m looking at this the wrong way. Maybe Good2Go will prevent rape by becoming a warning sign for everyone to see. But that’s not the problem. The problem lies in the misconception that a simple “no” when it comes to sex is no longer enough. Individuals need survey results to justify their reasons for wanting, or not wanting, to engage in sexual activity.
