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To say that sex toy technology has come a long way would be a severe understatement. Not too long ago, the world of vibrators and other toys was limited to Hitachi Wands — or maybe just your shower head, if you were lucky enough to have one that was detachable.
Sex toys also weren't something many people felt comfortable talking about — either with friends or a partner — which is why so many of us were masturbating secretly and shamefully, and then hiding our toys in a bedside table. But now, slowly but surely, this world is becoming more mainstream.
You no longer have to pretend to be buying a "back massager," when really you want something to rub on your clitoris, perineum, balls, nipples, etc. Sure, there's still a lot of work to be done when it comes to destigmatizing sex toys, but according to Searah Deysach, a sex educator, there's no denying they're an important and healthy part of an active sex life. They're fun to use alone, as a way of masturbating and exploring your own sexuality, and they're also fun to use with a partner — even if that partner is far away.
And that's where sex toys that can be controlled with your phone come into play. "If you allow your [long-distance] partner to control your toy from afar, you're sharing something pretty special with them, and that can go a long way to help maintain the feeling of intimacy," Deysach tells Bustle. "Even if you're not using a remote-controlled toy, using a toy while on the phone or video chat with your SO can be a fun, sexy activity."