Online Sexual Activities Research Articles

Young people becoming intimate on social media: Digital desires and gender dynamics

Digital technologies are shaping young people’s intimate relationships in profound ways, yet we have little knowledge of these experiences from the Global South. Drawing from a qualitative study, this article examines how 16-19-year-old South Africans make meaning of gender and sexuality through digital intimate practices. The study finds that digital intimacies are facilitated through producing and sharing of sexual content through sexting, video calls, selfies, nudes and emojis. Together they serve as affective entities in enhancing intimate connections expanding what we know of young people’s online sexual activities. However, we also draw attention to enduring patterns of male dominance within digital practices where girls’ online activities are curtailed by heterosexual oppressive relations of power. We contribute to the emerging research in South Africa advocating for the need for greater emphasis on young people and digital sexual intimacies beyond the current framing of risk and danger in order to promote healthy young sexualities.

The Highs and Lows of Pornography Use: Does Motivation Affect Users’ Life Satisfaction?

"The negative outcomes of problematic pornography use (PPU) have been well documented, but there is a gap in the literature on the underlying mechanisms that influence the life satisfaction and mental health of pornography users. In the current study we have used a cross-sectional, person-centered approach in order to reveal the motivational and life satisfaction profile of problematic and non-problematic pornography users based on the theoretical framework of Self-determination Theory (SDT). We also wished to determine the role of self-determination in the life satisfaction of pornography users, as this variable is considered to be relevant for the life satisfaction and mental health of online pornography consumers. Our participants (N = 4302) were Hungarian speaking adults from Romania and Hungary (age M=27,91; SD=9,50), selected through sampling on social networking sites related to pornography, sexual dysfunction and addiction. Individuals were assigned to one of 3 groups (i.e., no symptoms, few symptoms, problematic use), based on the presence of symptoms related to pornography use. Demographic data was gathered, self-determination, life satisfaction and pornography use were assessed using the online version of validated instruments. Results indicated that SDT-based motivation and life satisfaction have a significant role in shaping the profile of pornography users. Participants with PPU felt less satisfied with their life, were less self-aware and experienced lower levels of perceived choice than both no symptom and few symptom groups. Although self-determination significantly predicted life satisfaction, this effect was not influenced by the problematic character of pornography use. Keywords: self-determined motives; life satisfaction; online sexual activities; problematic pornography use."

Changes in Online Sexual Activities During the Lockdown Caused by COVID-19 in Spain: “INSIDE” Project

Abstract Introduction The lockdown, as a measure to stop the spread of COVID-19, has had an impact on different areas of our life, including sexuality. This study aims to analyze its impact on online sexual activities (OSAs) in people who lived in Spain during confinement. Methods This study involved 1448 people aged 18–60 years who were assessed through an online survey during confinement in Spain (April, 2020). The design of this study was a cross-sectional design, in which information on OSA before confinement and OSA, physical and social environment, and other variables related to gender and negative mood during confinement were collected at a single point in time. Results Our results show that both men and women, regardless of their sexual orientation, have experienced an increase in time and frequency invested in OSAs. In addition, individuals have also innovated their OSAs, for example, contacting sex workers. Factors such as high sexual desire, being a man, and consuming pornography were positively related to the frequency of ASOs during confinement, while high sexual desire and sexting were related to the time spent on ASOs during confinement. Conclusions The COVID-19 lockdown has had an impact on online sexuality. Both men and women have experienced an increase in their online sexual activity during confinement. In addition, some factors related to the increase in the time and frequency of OSAs are identified. Policy Implications Identifying how these changes have been during this very restrictive period and what factors related to the increase in OSAs can help us prevent possible consequences in similar scenarios.

A Prospective, Longitudinal Comparison of Sexual Distress Across Relationship Status During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Numerous studies have described declines in sexual well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, although experiences of sexual distress during this time appear to be mixed. Previous research has relied on cross-sectional methodology and focused on individuals in relationships. Furthermore, little is known about the frequency of "COVID-safe" sexual behaviors, such as online sexual activities. These gaps in the literature were addressed using a prospective, longitudinal online study examining sexual distress, predictors of sexual distress (i.e., perceived stress), and online sexual activities over time in single and partnered individuals. Participants were single (N = 64) and partnered (N = 60) individuals who completed surveys at three timepoints over a 6-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mean age across the two groups was 29years, and approximately half were women (51.6% and 50%, respectively). Results indicated that single individuals reported significantly higher sexual distress than partnered individuals at Times 1 and 2, but not at Time 3. Sexual distress significantly decreased over time for individuals in the single group but remained stable for partnered individuals. At each timepoint, there was a conditional effect of perceived stress on sexual distress depending on one's relationship status, and the nature of these conditional effects changed throughout the course of the study. Results suggested that single individuals demonstrated improvements in sexual distress over time. Perceived stress is an important predictor of sexual distress but may operate differently depending on relationship status. Results highlight the resiliency of both single and partnered individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How online data informs forensic mental health evaluations of sexual behavior: An overview.

The Internet plays a pervasive role in modern life including the expression of human sexuality and sexual offending. A range of online sexual activities may be of interest in forensic mental health evaluations (FMHE), including those which are clearly illegal or those which are legal but functionally problematic. Online sexual offenses will clearly prompt forensic evaluators to consider the role of the Internet in these offending behaviors. The Internet may also be relevant in forensic evaluations of contact sexual offending including informing on history of mixed or cross-over offending, and Internet-facilitated contact offenses. A review of Internet-data may span several online domains, many of which provide the user with substantial anonymity and would likely not be available to the evaluator unless provided through the process of discovery. Early guidelines for the review of Internet-data in FMHEs have been proposed and support the Internet as a useful source of collateral data in the conduct of forensic evaluations of sexual behavior.

A mathematical model to start a discussion on cybersex addiction

Cybersex is the use of the Internet and its services to achieve sexual arousal and pleasure. This use, however, can become excessive and uncontrolled. Common consequences of a problematic engagement in online sexual activities are the deterioration of real-life romantic relationships and the occurrence of sexual dysfunctions, even in young population. Here, a simplistic mathematical model based on differential equations is proposed to investigate the impact of cybersex on the human population growth. This model is analysed from a dynamical system theory perspective. This study can be presented in a class on differential equations and it can be the starting point for talking about Internet sex addiction.

Explanatory factors for problematic cybersex behaviour: the importance of negative emotions

Cybersex encompasses a wide range of behaviors that use information and communication technologies as a means of access to obtain sexual gratification, a phenomenon that can take on problematic patterns. The main objective of the study is to propose a model that explains the extent to which online sexual activities and the negative emotionality associated with them can generate a tolerance phenomenon characterized by an increase in the frequency and intensity of cybersex behaviors. To this end, the Cybersex Behavioral Assessment Questionnaire was administered to a sample of 369 individuals. The results show that online sexual behavior and the presence of negative emotions during the performance of these activities influence the occurrence of tolerance, which is characterized by an increase and variety of activities with increasingly extreme typology. These findings may have implications for education and healthcare.

Moderating Role of Sexual Attitudes in the Association between Online Sexual Activity and Problematic Pornography Use: Evidence from the Chinese Community and Help-Seeking Men

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the moderating role of sexual attitudes in the association between online sexual activity (OSA) and problematic pornography use (PPU) in the Chinese context. Specifically, we examined whether incongruence stemming from attitudes (i.e., disapproval of nonmarital and casual sex but engaging in OSA) amplifies the perception of PPU. Methods We recruited two samples of Chinese men, one from the community (N 1 = 525) and the other comprising help-seeking individuals (N 2 = 578). Results Sexual attitudes moderate the relationship between OSA and PPU in both samples, with the predictive influence of OSA on PPU weakening among individuals with a relatively permissive attitude (scored one SD above the mean of sexual attitudes), and strengthened among individuals with a relatively conservative attitude (scored one SD below the mean of sexual attitudes). Conclusions In the conservative sexual cultural context of China, a relatively conservative sexual attitude might strengthen the association between OSA and PPU.

Sexual life of Spanish women during the lockdown by COVID-19: Differences according to sexual orientation?

The COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated the sexual health differences that already existed among women based on their sexual orientation. Therefore, a total of 971 Spanish women aged 18–60 years (84 % heterosexual and 16 % with a minority sexual orientation) answered an ad hoc online questionnaire about sexual behavior during April 2020. Compared to heterosexual women, sexual minority women showed a greater increase in sexual frequency, masturbated more, had more sex with a housemate, and engaged in more online sexual activities during lockdown. The emotional impact of the pandemic, having privacy, and age showed a relationship with the quality of sexual life, but not sexual orientation. Based on these results, women's sexual lives are not as closely related to their sexual orientation as they are to other variables. Therefore, it seems more necessary to address issues affecting women in general during lockdown than to focus on their specific sexual orientation.

Sexting Behaviors Before and During COVID-19 in Italian and Colombian Young Adults

IntroductionRecent research highlight increasing at-risk online sexual activities and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among young adults. Specifically, sexting refers to exchanging sexually suggestive messages, photos, and videos through technological devices, and it can be placed on a continuum from safer to riskier behavior. This study aims to improve our knowledge about sexting behaviors in Italian and Colombian young adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA survey online was filled in by all recruited participants through a snowball sampling procedure (from December 2019 to June 2021) both in Italy and Colombia, resulting in a total of 2931 participants (2051 from Italy and 880 from Colombia) aged 18 to 35 years old (Mage = 23.85; SDage = 3.63; 67.6% girls).ResultsItalian youth were more engaged in risky sexting than Colombian participants, while Colombians indicated being more engaged in non-consensual sexting than Italians. Sexual minority people reported more sharing their own sexts, higher levels of sexting under pressure, and 3.2 times more risky sexting than exclusively heterosexual counterparts. During the pandemic period, participants sent their own sexts 1.5 times more and were less involved in non-consensual sexting than in the pre-pandemic era.ConclusionsThe present research could help understand better the cultural dynamics underlying the differences in sexting behaviors, suggesting the relevance of investigating how sexting behaviors and online at-risk activities have changed since the pandemic started.Policy ImplicationsResults provide implications for educational and prevention programs to improve young people's awareness of sexting behaviors.

Tech-advancement Vs. Online Sexual Activities Country-wise: Market Economic Assessment under Welfare Analysis

Internet is a blessing for humankind where one can have all good-things rather bad-things from it. It is easy to get stuck into dark-&-ugly world of civilization with just a click to online-sexual-activities—Pornography and Online-live-sex. Besides emotional-problems, it has linkages with today’s high-rise-rate of divorce, rape, family-conflicts in society country-wise such as Bangladesh. For policy-guidance, this study analyses basic issues of Online-sex-market in terms of marginal-damage analysis under neoclassical partial equilibrium demand-supply theory. It further analyses the reasons of disparity between social-cost and private-cost by conventional marginal-damage analysis. Findings show that because of online-sex-activities, marginal social-costs are higher than marginal private-costs. Continuation of increasing it in Bangladesh, results a higher welfare-loss incurred from higher social-costs. Because of its high rise demand due to continuation of rising per-capita-income and having easy-access to supportive-factors, prices of services are becoming upward-trends, which dominate producer-surplus. Service-providers generate high revenues and consumers face high market-prices, which create higher deadweight-losses. Thus, there is an urgency for national policy-design. Probable-policies can advance in three-folds a) how to quit online-sex b) how to perform treatment of online-sex-addiction and c) how to prevent newcomers. Besides having effective-monitoring, raising awareness and engaging public, Internet-companies & officials, calling for Conferences may play significant-roles country-wise.

Conceptual Overview (Portrayals of Sexuality in Pornography)

Conceptual Overview (Portrayals of Sexuality in Pornography)

Changes in Sexual Behavior Over the COVID-19 Pandemic Among a Community-Based Cohort of Men Who Have Sex With Men in Columbus, Ohio.

The purpose was to assess COVID-19 beliefs and attitudes and examine COVID-19-related changes in sexual behavior of men who have sex with men during 3 time periods: April-July 2020 (T1), August-December 2020 (T2), January-May 2021 (T3). Data were analyzed from 157 men who have sex with men in Ohio recruited to participate in a longitudinal multisite network study of syphilis epidemiology in 3 US cities: Columbus, Ohio; Baltimore, Maryland; and Chicago, Illinois. In April 2020, a COVID-19 module was appended to existing baseline and follow-up surveys to assess beliefs, attitudes, and changes in sexual behavior. Sample characteristics were summarized. Correlations between demographic variables (age, racial identity) and COVID-19 outcomes were examined. In response to COVID-19 social distancing restrictions and self-reported anxiety, some men limited sexual activity at T1, but the majority (n = 105 [67%]) continued to engage in sex. The number of men engaging in sex increased over time (T2: n = 124 [79%]; T3: n = 121 [77%]). At T1, men not in a relationship more frequently reported having less sex compared with prepandemic (n = 39 [57%]). By T3, men in a relationship more frequently reported less sex (n = 32 [54%]). Increased anxiety about sex and condom use was positively correlated with identifying as a man of color (P < 0.001). Most of the sample reported either starting or increasing online sexual activity during each time period. Future efforts to target sexual health during a pandemic or other health emergencies should prioritize men of color and address the unique perspective of both single and partnered men.

Symptoms of problematic pornography use among help-seeking male adolescents: Latent profile and network analysis.

Little data exist on exploring the subgroups and characteristics of problematic pornography use (PPU) in help-seeking adolescents. The aims of the study were to classify the subgroups among help-seeking male adolescents, explore their similarities and differences, and uncover their core symptoms. A total of 3,468 Chinese male adolescents (M age = 16.64 years, SD=1.24) who were distressed about their pornography use were recruited. The Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale, the Brief Pornography Screen Scale, and Moral Disapproval of Pornography Use were used to classify them. The General Health Questionnaire, the Pornography Craving Questionnaire, and the Sexual Compulsivity Scale were used to investigate participants' negative consequence related to their pornography use; and the Online Sexual Activity Questionnaire (OSAs) and time spent on pornography use every week were considered as quantitative indicators. Help-seeking male adolescents could be divided into 3 profiles, namely, self-perceived problematic (SP, n = 755), impaired control (IC, n = 1,656), and problematic use groups (PPU, n = 1,057). Frequency of OSAs was important for the identification of SP individuals, while negative consequences were more effective in identifying individuals with objective dysregulated behavior. Salience and mood modification were shared by all groups; however, in addition to this, the SP and PPU groups also showed withdrawal symptoms. This study's results provide support for the presence of different profiles of help-seeking individuals and information on potential intervention targets among adolescents which is lacking in the literature.

Online Sexual Activity among Iranian Clients with Borderline Personality Disorder and Its Correlation with Severity of Symptoms.

Objective: Clients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often engage in high-risk sexual behaviors. Online sexual platforms convey abusive and harmful themes, especially for this group of sexually impulsive patients. We hypothesized a correlation between their online sexual activities and the severity of BPD symptoms. Method : Fifty clients with BPD who were referred to Iran psychiatric hospital and Tehran Psychiatric Institute in 2020 participated in this research. The Borderline Evaluation of Severity over Time (BEST) questionnaire was used to assess the severity of BPD symptoms, and the Internet Sex Screening Test (ISST) was used to evaluate online sexual behaviors. A psychiatric interview considered substance abuse and other confounding factors. Results: The mean ISST and BEST scores were 7.82 ± 5.74 and 41.7 ± 12.5, respectively. There was a positive and significant correlation between the severity of BPD symptoms and online sexual activities (P < 0.001, r = 0.480). There was also a significant relationship between online sexual activities and a history of substance abuse (P = 0.003, F = 25.06). Conclusion: Online sexual activity can harm clients with BPD who are more vulnerable to high-risk sexual behaviors. More severe borderline personality traits were associated with more online sexual activity, which underlines the importance of providing education about and managing such activities in clients with BPD.

Comparison of Online Sexual Activity Among Iranian Individuals With and Without Substance Use Disorder: A Case-Control Study.

The most important practical concerns in addiction medicine are the non-substance addiction and related addictive behaviors among individuals with substance use disorder. On the other hand, technological advances, and easy access have increased the frequency of online sexual activities (OSAs) as one of these behaviors. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of OSAs, based on the Internet Sex Screening Test (ISST) scores, among 60 patients with substance use disorder referred to Iran Psychiatric Hospital and 60 non-dependent individuals. The results showed significant negative correlations between the ISST scores and age, age at the onset of substance use, and substance use duration. There was a significant difference between the ISST scores of the case and control groups (P = 0.001). Patients who start using substances at an early age and have a great duration of substance use are more likely to engage in other addictive behaviors such as OSAs. Therefore, it is critical to consider OSAs and other addictive behaviors in patients with substance use disorder to provide better care for this vulnerable community.

The role of pornography in the sex life of young adults-a cross-sectional cohort study on female and male German medical students

BackgroundDue to easy online accessibility of pornography its consumption is popular among adolescents and young adults. Considering recently developed frameworks on the effects of sexual media, we assessed how increased consumption of pornography is associated with the experience of certain aspects of offline and online sexual activity in German medical students.MethodsBetween April 2018 and March 2020 medical students from the Technical University of Munich in Germany were anonymously surveyed with regards to their sexual behavior, consumption of pornography, and use of social media. 468 students (female: n = 293; male: n = 175) were included in the current analysis. Data was analyzed using simple and multiple Poisson regression analysis.ResultsOnly 7.3% of female students but the majority of male students (79.1%) consumed pornography more than 4 times in the last 4 weeks. Female and male students who reported to be inspired by pornography (female: 52.0%, male: 74.6%) and who have enjoyed the experience of anal intercourse in their life (female: 17.1%, male: 32.2%) consumed pornography more frequently. Female students who have experienced a “threesome” (9.0%), have sent erotic pictures of themselves (33.5%), or use social media in their dating life (27.6%) consumed pornography more frequently. Male students who did not experience a sexual transmitted disease (82.9%) and did not cheat on their partner (68.0%) consumed pornography more frequently (results of multiple Poisson regression analysis; all p < 0.05).ConclusionsMany students consider pornography as inspiration for their sex life and frequent consumption of pornography seems to be associated with gender specific characteristics congruent with short-term sexual quality. The desire of adolescents and young adults for practical information about sexual intercourse should be addressed openly and a proper understanding of the sexuality shown in pornography should be taught.

A Network Comparison of Motives behind Online Sexual Activities and Problematic Pornography Use during the COVID-19 Outbreak and the Post-Pandemic Period.

Many researchers have considered whether online sexual activities (OSAs) increased over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and whether these have led to an increase in problematic pornography use (PPU). This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on PPU through pornography use motivations (PUMs) and OSAs to develop a better understanding of the mechanism and changes affecting PPU. Two groups of Chinese adults were recruited during the initial months of the pandemic (April 2020, n1 = 496) and the post-pandemic period (October 2021, n2 = 504). A network analysis was conducted to compare the structures of PPU symptoms among the two groups. The results showed that PUMs and OSAs were stronger predictors of PPU during the pandemic than post-pandemic (R2pandemic = 57.6% vs. R2post-pandemic = 28.7%). The motives of fantasy, sexual pleasure, stress reduction, and self-exploration were the prominent motivations during these two periods, but we found distinct PPU-related communities. PPU, sexual pleasure, and viewing sexually explicit materials (a type of OSAs) constituted a community during the pandemic but not in the post-pandemic’s network. The present study indicated that the pandemic may not have been the only factor impacting the higher rate of PPU. Instead, the higher frequency of OSAs during the pandemic may have been a strategy to cope with stress and to safely satisfy sexual desire.

Understanding online grooming: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of adolescents' offline meetings with adult perpetrators

BackgroundIt is the norm for adolescents to form friendships online but connecting with strangers poses risks of online grooming. Adult perpetrators take advantage of the internet's anonymity and accessibility to befriend and groom young people for sexual abuse. Much of the existing research has focused on the offender's perspective and grooming tactics, while extensive studies on victim profiles have focused on risk factors and young people's vulnerabilities to online grooming. ObjectiveThis research takes an in-depth look into grooming processes from the perspective of the adolescent victim and explores how the relationships progressed online-to-offline, resulting in sexual abuse. It aims to understand young people's motivations and mindsets by exploring their lived experiences of offline meeting with adult perpetrators. Participants and settingThe sample consisted of adolescents aged 14–21 in the UK and EU. MethodsUsing data from the Risk-taking Online Behavior Empowerment through Research and Training Project, six interviews were examined using an interpretative phenomenological analysis. ResultsFour themes emerged: 1) Varied interpretations of risk 2) Taking control 3) Seeking security and validation; and 4) Shifts in perspective. The subtleties of online grooming were masked by the adolescents' misplaced trust as they displayed agency in pursuing opportunities for online friendships or sexual activities. ConclusionsFindings suggest an insufficient knowledge of grooming and the need to more clearly define risks among adolescents. Safety guidelines should highlight the subtleties of grooming tactics and harmful behaviours that may not be readily perceived as abuse.

Mobile Dating Applications and the Sexual Self: A Cluster Analysis of Users' Characteristics.

The online environment has had a profound sociocultural impact, and its implications pose new challenges to modern-day societies. The digital sexual and dating domains have dramatically affected sexual and romantic behavior and norms, and yet, no empirical studies have addressed the role of the sexual self-concept in driving sexual and romantic online behavior. The aim of this study is to identify reliable sexual self-configurations through a cluster analysis approach and determine whether these profiles are informative in relation to app use motives and sexual outcomes. For this purpose, a total of 244 subjects were recruited. Survey questions measured a set of demographic parameters, motives for app use, online sexual activities, attachment orientations, the sexual self-concept and sexual satisfaction. Five clusters were identified, including two with high levels of sexual drive (“Driven” and “Adventurous”), two with low levels of sexual drive (“Unassured” and “Naïve”) and one with an intermediate level of sexual drive (“Competent”). The clusters differed on gender, attachment styles, app use patterns and sexual characteristics. These findings provide insight into how the sexual self-concept relates to the interaction between individuals and the online sexual and dating scenes.