Online Sexual Activities Research Articles

Are Online Sexual Activities and Sexting Good for Adults’ Sexual Well-Being? Results From a National Online Survey

Objectives: Online sexual activities (OSA) and sexting are often framed as risk behaviors in adolescents. This study investigates experiences of adults. Methods: Based on the positive sexuality approach, the current study measured prevalence, predictors, and perceived outcomes of OSA and sexting in a national online sample of N = 1,500 participants from Germany (ages 18–85). Results: 68% of adults reported previous involvement in OSA and 41% in sexting. Perceived positive OSA and sexting outcomes outweighed the negative. Conclusions: Sexual health professionals should acknowledge online sexual expression in adults of the general population as normal and mostly positive behavior.

Influence of the Perceived Infidelity of Online Sexual Activities (OSAs) on OSA Experiences Among Chinese Heterosexual Individuals in Committed Relationships

ABSTRACTPrevious studies have revealed that many individuals in settled relationships engage in online sexual activities (OSAs). Considering this, this study examined the influence the perceived infidelity of OSA has on the OSA experiences of individuals in such committed relationships. OSAs involve viewing sexually explicit material, seeking sexual partners, cybersex, and flirting. Taking these specific activities, we measured perceived infidelity concerning OSAs by asking our participants (N = 301) to select either “yes” or “no” in regard to whether they believed each constituted an infidelity. Further, the participants also mentioned if they had engaged in an OSA within the past 12 months and whether they considered engaging in OSA in general as an infidelity. Our results indicated that men are less likely to perceive OSAs as infidelities, and also that they engage more frequently than women in all subtypes of OSA. More specifically, individuals who did not perceive OSAs to be infidelities engaged in more sexual-partner seeking, cybersex, and flirting than their counterparts. Furthermore, perceived infidelity was found to mediate the relationship between gender and OSA experiences. The findings indicate that perceived infidelity for OSA shapes OSA experiences and contributes to gender differences in terms of opinions on and engagement with OSAs.

Online sexual activity involving webcams-An overview of existing literature and implications for sexual boundary violations of children and adolescents.

Despite the relevance of the Internet and its increasing use for sexual purposes, research into online sexual activity (OSA) involving webcams is limited. Aside from positive experiences, OSA may implicate violations of sexual boundaries, reaching from minor issues to serious forms of sexual abuse. To provide a basis for a classification of sexual boundary violations online and a conceptualization of preventive measures, a systematic review of the literature on OSA involving webcams was conducted, resulting in publications from four thematic categories: webcam use in common OSA, psychopathological phenomena, sex work, and crime and indecency (commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking, and sexual boundary violations). The discussion addresses the implications of different types of sexual boundary violation of children and adolescents on the Internet. The study's Internet findings could promote prevention and law enforcement strategies tailored to these types of offense as well as different target groups.

The virtual simulation of child sexual abuse: online gameworld users\u2019 views, understanding and responses to sexual ageplay

This paper explores cultural understandings of virtual sexual ageplay in the online world of Second Life. Online sexual ageplay is the virtual simulation of child abuse by consensual adults operating in-world with child computer characters (avatars). Second Life is primarily governed by Community Standards which rely on residents (the users of Second Life) to recognise sexual ageplay and report it, which requires an appreciation of how residents view, understand and construct sexual ageplay. The research presented drew on 12 months of resident blog posts referring to sexual ageplay: 263 total, with 91 residents. The analysis of this talk explores the cultural understandings of this banned behaviour and beliefs about the nature of Second Life which underpin residents’ likelihood to report sexual ageplay and so comply with the Community Standards. In considering these issues the paper is able to highlight issues regarding the unique cultural position of abuse against children and key concerns which underpin the reporting behaviour of residents. Key considerations relate to defining online sexual activity and child avatars; the moral status of ‘reporters’, and sexual ageplay as a form of edgeplay; belief in the harmfulness of sexual ageplay and its relationship to real world behaviours.

Online sexual solicitation by adults and peers – Results from a population based German sample

Prevalence of Internet use among adolescents is high, but little is known about the online sexual activities of German adolescents. This study aimed to describe the 12-month prevalence of German adolescents’ online sexual experiences with a focus on Online Sexual Solicitation (OSS, subjectively negative online sexual experiences with a peer or any sexual online experience, positive or negative, with an adult). A sample of male and female adolescents aged 14–17 (N=2238) was recruited using online survey panel. The sample was representative for gender and education. Subjects completed an online survey reporting their online sexual activities (i.e., sexual conversation, exchanging pictures, and cybersex) with peers (14–17y.) and/or adults (≥18y.). Findings illustrated that 51.3% (n=1148) of adolescents had experienced online sexual activity, which mostly involved peers (n=969; 84.4%). In contrast, 23.2% (n=519) of the adolescents experienced OSS with 2.6% (n=57) reporting subjectively negative online sexual interactions with peers and 22.2% (n=490) reporting online sexual interactions with adults, of which 10.4% (n=51) were perceived as negative. The findings suggest that adolescents frequently engage in sexual interactions on the Internet with only a relatively small number perceiving such contacts as exploitative. In addition, females and adolescents with incomplete family situation, foreign nationality, higher education, homo- or bisexual orientation, and those without perceived social support reported OSS significantly more often.

Emotionally laden impulsivity interacts with affect in predicting addictive use of online sexual activity in men

The interest in studying addictive use of online sexual activities (OSA) has grown sharply over the last decade. Despite the burgeoning number of studies conceptualizing the excessive use of OSA as an addictive disorder, few have tested its relations to impulsivity, which is known to constitute a hallmark of addictive behaviors. To address this missing gap in the literature, we tested the relationships between addictive OSA use, impulsivity traits, and affect among a convenience sample of men (N=182; age, M=29.17, SD = 9.34), building upon a theoretically driven model that distinguishes the various facets of impulsivity. Results showed that negative urgency (an impulsivity trait reflecting the tendency to act rashly in negative emotional states) and negative affect interact in predicting addictive OSA use. These results highlight the pivotal role played by negative urgency and negative affect in addictive OSA use, supporting the relevance of psychological interventions that focus on improving emotional regulation (e.g., to reduce negative affect and learn healthier coping strategies) to mitigate excessive use of OSA.

From risky behaviour to sexy adventures: reconceptualising young people’s online sexual activities

Western discourses about young people and sexuality centre around the concept of risk. Anxieties have been fuelled by the increasing popularity of social media and practices such as ‘sexting’ and watching ‘sexually explicit’ materials online. Research has shown however that such risk discourses mainly serve to moralise about, pathologise and police particular behaviours and children. In order to counter such paternalism, researchers advocated a reconceptualisation of youth not as passive victims, but as active agents who actively negotiate sexual experiences and discourses. In this paper, which is based on ethnographic fieldwork among young people in The Netherlands, I argue that we need a reconceptualisation not only of youth, but also of their sexual practices, especially their online sexual practices. Mobilising an interdisciplinary interaction between critical socio-cultural studies of risk, feminist theory and adventure studies, I propose to reconceptualise these practices as ‘adventures’ rather than ‘risky behaviour’. This opens up possibilities for a more reasoned analysis that acknowledges: (1) the distinction between risks and outcomes of an activity; (2) the constructive potential of risk; and (3) the subjective, dynamic character of risk and pleasure.

Psychospołeczne uwarunkowania poziomu uzależnienia od seksu internetowego – moderująca rola płci

The aim of this research was to assess the relationship between the selected psychosocial factors and Internet sex addiction among university students and whether gender moderated these links. The sample consisted of 382 university students from Lublin and surroundings (54.5% female). Participants completed a set of questionnaires to measure online sexual activities (OSA) experience, Internet sex addiction, social support, relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, as well as other psychosocial variables. Research indicated significantly higher levels of Internet sex addiction among male students than female ones. Correlation analyses revealed significant connection between Internet sex addiction and the period of absence of romantic relationship, low sexual self-esteem and early age of the first experience of pornography, but only among men. The level of Internet sex addiction among women was positively associated with low relationship satisfaction and younger age of the first sexual intercourse. In both groups, the level of Internet sex addiction was significantly correlated with the greater number of sexual partners and participation in OSA, particular individual and relational types of OSA.

Sexuality in the Internet Era: Expressions of Hispanic Adolescent and Young People

ABSTRACTCybersex is an important manifestation of sexuality among adolescents and young people. However, there is not enough information about this sexual expression, in particular, in cultures such as Latino culture, which has a traditional perception of human sexuality. This study evaluates online sexual activity among Hispanic adolescent and young people. For this purpose, 2,227 participants from Mexico and Spain (between 15 and 25 years old) completed the Internet Sex Screening Test. Our findings reveal that the most common use of cybersex is recreational, although men and women show risk for cybersex abuse. This is associated with pornography consumption, anal sex, sexual orientation, and gender for adolescent and young people. The more conservative and gendered tradition seems to modulate some aspects of cybersex in both groups, who have revealed some differences in their behaviors. Therefore, cybersex is also an expression of sexuality among Hispanic adolescent and young people and should be considered in sexual health promotion programs and policies.

The Partner Context of Sexual Minority Women’s and Men’s Cybersex Experiences: Implications for the Traditional Sexual Script

Cybersex refers to a subgroup of interactive, interpersonal online sexual activities. People can engage in cybersex with three types of partners: (a) a primary committed partner, (b) a known non-partner, and, (c) a stranger. These partner types differ in degree of anonymity—one of five characteristics that make the internet appealing for sexual activity according to the Quin-A Engine. Previously, researchers have found that the partner context of heterosexual people’s cybersex experiences largely conform to the traditional sexual script (TSS; a cultural set of norms that incorporates traditional gender roles). However, researchers have not examined whether the TSS is apparent in sexual minority people’s cybersex experiences. The goal of the present study was to examine the role of anonymity and sexual scripts in sexual minority women’s and men’s cybersex experiences. Sexual minority women (n = 143) and men (n = 103) completed an online survey that included questions about lifetime prevalence and frequency of cybersex within each partner context. Findings demonstrated that more women engaged in cybersex with a primary partner compared to men, and that more men than women reported cybersex outside a committed-partner context and engaged in it more frequently. Implications for sexual education, clinical practice, and personal safety navigation for sexual minority people are discussed.

Internet Addiction, Psychological Distress, and Coping Responses Among Adolescents and Adults.

As Internet use grows, so do the benefits and also the risks. Thus, it is important to identify when individuals' Internet use is problematic. In the present study, 449 participants aged from 16 to 71 years of age were sourced from a wide range of English-speaking Internet forums, including social media and self-help groups. Of these, 68.9% were classified as nonproblematic users, 24.4% as problematic users, and 6.7% as addictive Internet users. High use of discussion forums, high rumination levels, and low levels of self-care were the main contributing factors to Internet addiction (IA) among adolescents. For adults IA was mainly predicted through engagement in online video gaming and sexual activity, low email use, as well as high anxiety and high avoidant coping. Problematic Internet users scored higher on emotion and avoidance coping responses in adults and higher on rumination and lower on self-care in adolescents. Avoidance coping responses mediated the relationship between psychological distress and IA. These findings may assist clinicians with designing interventions to target different factors associated with IA.

The Influence of Religiosity and Risk Taking on Cybersex Engagement among Postgraduate Students: A Study in Malaysian Universities

This study attempts to develop a predictive model to enhance the understanding of cybersex by testing hypotheses on the relationships between religiosity, risk taking, and cybersex engagement. Using multistage proportional sampling, 256 postgraduate students who completed an online survey sent to their email addresses were randomly selected from five Malaysian universities. Results provided support for the proposed theoretical model by explaining 22% of variance in endogenous variable. Statistically significant negative relationship was found to exist between religiosity and cybersex engagement. The study also demonstrated a positive significant relationship between risk taking and cybersex engagement. University counselors would do well to be aware, and develop accurate and general knowledge about online sexual activities, address and prevent the probability of it becoming an addiction with serious life consequences for students.

An exploration of prevalence, variety, and frequency data to quantify online sexual activity experience

People use the Internet for a wide range of online sexual activities (OSA): behaviours that involve sexual content, topics, and stimuli. Yet, current OSA summary statistics provide little perspective on patterns of OSA experience because researchers have not compared multiple indicators of experience within the same sample. We explored the prevalence, variety, and frequency of young men and women's experience with three OSA subtypes: non-arousal (e.g., accessing sexual health information), solitary-arousal (e.g., viewing pornography), and partnered-arousal (e.g., sending sexually explicit messages). We examined patterns in experience with specific OSAs, subtypes of OSAs, OSAs overall, and differences related to gender across the lifetime and recently. Young adults (N=239) at a Canadian University completed a survey that included a new measure of 48 specific OSAs, representing the three subtypes. All participants reported at least one OSA experience in their lifetime (ranging 1–38). Although the prevalence and variety of experience was greater across the lifetime than recently, this difference was small and the pattern of results remained the same. Frequency of experience appeared greater for specific OSAs compared to OSA subtypes or overall. Frequency of specific OSAs were greater for the subgroup of participants who had engaged in the activity recently compared to the full sample. Significantly more men than women reported solitary-arousal OSA, and men reported greater variety and frequency of this subtype. This gender difference in prevalence and frequency only held for viewing sexually explicit pictures and videos online. We discuss implications for sexual scripts, researchers, clinicians, and educators.

Relationship quality predicts online sexual activities among Chinese heterosexual men and women in committed relationships

In this study, we examined the online sexual activities (OSAs) of Chinese men and women in committed relationships, with a focus on the characteristics of OSAs and the factors prompting men and women with steady partners to engage in OSAs. OSAs herein were categorized as viewing sexually explicit material (SEM), sexual partner seeking, cybersex, and online flirting. We hypothesized that individuals not satisfied with their current relationship would seek gratification via OSAs. Participants (N = 344) completed measures of OSA experience within the past 12 months and relationship quality (i.e., relationship satisfaction, adult attachment, and communication patterns). Almost 89% of the participants reported OSA experiences in the past 12 months even when they had a real-life partner. Men showed higher rates and frequencies of engaging in all subtypes of OSAs compared to women. As predicted, individuals with lower relationship quality in real life, including low relationship satisfaction, insecure attachment, and negative communication patterns, engaged in OSAs more frequently. Overall, our results suggest that variables influencing offline infidelity may also influence online infidelity.

The new avenue of online sexual activity in China: The smartphone

We investigated the prevalence of online sexual activity (OSA) via smartphone and personal computer (PC), as well as the psychological mechanisms underlying OSA via smartphone and PC. OSAs were categorized as viewing sexually explicit material (SEM), sexual partner seeking, cybersex, and flirting. Participants (N = 505) completed measures of OSA experience via smartphone and PC within the past 12 months. Sexual sensation seeking (the propensity to attain optimal levels of sexual excitement and to engage in novel sexual experiences) and sociosexuality (openness to uncommitted sexual relations) were assessed to examine the psychological mechanisms underlying OSA. The reported prevalence of OSA via smartphone and PC was high (88.32% and 86.34%, respectively). There was no significant difference in the prevalence and frequency of solitary-arousal OSA (i.e., viewing SEM) between smartphone and PC access, while in partnered-arousal OSA (i.e., partner seeking, cybersex, and flirting) the prevalence and frequency via smartphone was higher than via PC. Men reported a higher prevalence and frequency of OSA than women via both smartphone and PC. In addition, sexual sensation seeking and sociosexuality were positively related to OSA via smartphone and PC. The results indicate that the smartphone has become an important avenue to access sexuality online.

Characteristics of self-identified sexual addicts in a behavioral addiction outpatient clinic.

Background and aimsResearch on sexual addiction flourished during the last decade, promoted by the development of an increased number of online sexual activities. Despite the accumulation of studies, however, evidence collected in clinical samples of treatment-seeking people remains scarce. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics (socio-demographics, sexual habits, and comorbidities) of self-identified “sexual addicts.”MethodsThe sample was composed of 72 patients who consulted an outpatient treatment center regarding their sexual behaviors. Data were collected through a combination of structured interviewing and self-report measures.ResultsMost patients were males (94.4%) aged 20–76 years (mean 40.3 ± 10.9). Endorsement of sexual addiction diagnosis varied from 56.9% to 95.8% depending on the criteria used. The sexual behaviors reported to have the highest degree of functional impairment were having multiple sexual partners (56%), having unprotected sexual intercourse (51.9%), and using cybersex (43.6%). Ninety percent of patients endorsed a comorbid psychiatric diagnosis, and 60.6% presented at least one paraphilia.ConclusionsResults showed highly different profiles in terms of sexual preferences and behaviors, as well as comorbidities involved. These findings highlight the need to develop tailored psychotherapeutic interventions by taking into account the complexity and heterogeneity of the disorder.

That Man Behind the Curtain: Investigating the Sexual Online Dating Behavior of Men Who Have Sex With Men but Hide Their Same-Sex Sexual Attraction in Offline Surroundings

ABSTRACTThis study investigates how men who have sex with men (MSM) use chat and dating sites based on theories of stigma-related offline behavior and online self-disclosure. We hypothesize that hidden MSM (those who self-label as heterosexual or who hide their same-sex sexual attraction from family, friends, acquaintances, or a female romantic partner) differ from open MSM in how they behave on gay chat and dating sites and in offline gay venues. Drawing on a survey of 12,002 MSM, we show that hidden MSM tend to mask their identity on gay chat and dating sites while avoiding offline gay venues. They also focus more strongly on online sexual activities (e.g., masturbating during online chats) when using gay chat and dating sites. However, they spend the same amount of time on these sites, and they use them to initiate offline sexual encounters as often and as fast as open MSM.

Online erotica usage as a mediator between internet addiction and engagement in risky online sexual behaviors

In this study, we examined the links between Internet addiction, engagement in online erotica (including pornography usage and usage of sex-based Internet chat sites), and engagement in risky online sexual behaviors, in this case, sending sexually-explicit pictures to those known only online (i.e., sexting) and expecting to engage in offline sex with those known only online. In our sample of 276 U.S. adults, men engaged in most of these online sexual activities significantly more than women, but women were just as likely as men to send sexually-explicit pictures to online chat partners, and they were also just as likely as men to demonstrate signs of internet addiction. More importantly, using pornography and sex site usage were sequential mediators in the relationship between Internet addiction and engagement in risky online sexual activities. Moreover, whereas pornography viewing alone was not a predictor of risky online sexual activities, when the behavior escalated to engaging in Internet sex chat sites it did predict engagement in sexting or expectations of offline sex with those known only online. Based on these findings, we suggest that although these behaviors might be considered under one umbrella of online sexual activity, it might be useful from an intervention and treatment standpoint to target specific online sexual activities (e.g., sex site usage).

Cybersex in the “Net generation”: Online sexual activities among Spanish adolescents

The internet offers several opportunities to explore sexuality among adolescents. However, some studies have also revealed problematic effects of cybersex in earlier stages. Despite this, few studies analyze the online sexual behavior among adolescents, even less in Spain where there is very little data. For this reason, our aim is to examine the use of internet for sexual purposes among Spanish adolescents, including gender differences. Three hundred and twenty-two adolescents completed an ad-hoc questionnaire and the Spanish version of the Internet Sex Screening Test. In general, boys report more cybersex than girls do, for example, in masturbating while the Internet (60.6% of boys and 7.3% of girls). In addition, internet sex interferes with lifestyles more frequently in boys (12.7% of them) than in girls (4.7% of them). Moreover, according to linear regression, variables such as general pornography use or oral sex seem to be connected to cybersex for both groups, while same-sex behaviors are more associated with cybersex for boys and masturbation for girls. Therefore, these findings support the existence of cybersex among Spanish adolescents (ranging from 3.1% to 60.6% in boys and 0%–11.5% in girls for some online sexual activities), including certain problematic behaviors (8.6% of boys show a risk profile), and the relevance of gender in its analysis. These results should be considered in prevention and support strategies.

Online sexual activities: An exploratory study of problematic and non-problematic usage patterns in a sample of men

Involvement in online sexual activities (OSAs) is ubiquitous, especially in males, and can under certain circumstances become problematic. The risk factors associated with problematic OSAs remain, however, poorly explored. The current study aimed to investigate the characteristics, usage patterns, and motives for men to engage in OSAs and to disentangle the risk factors associated with problematic OSAs. To this end, 434 men completed an online survey measuring socio-demographic information, OSAs consumption habits, motives for engaging in OSAs, symptoms of problematic OSAs, and sexual dysfunctions. Results showed that watching pornography is the most prevalent OSA, and sexual gratification is the most frequent motive for OSAs involvement. Additional multiple regression analyses indicated that the following characteristics are associated with problematic use of OSAs: (a) partnered-arousal activities (e.g., sex chat) and solitary-arousal activities (e.g., pornography); (b) anonymous fantasizing and mood regulation motives; and (c) higher sexual desire, lower overall sexual satisfaction, and lower erectile function. This study sheds new light on the characteristics, motives, and sexual function of men involved in OSAs, emphasizing that problematic OSAs are heterogeneous and depend on interrelated factors. The findings support tailoring of preventive actions and clinical interventions to both OSA type and individual risk factors.