Cybersex

David Weitzman

** Cybersex ** ** Cybersex Defined ** Cybersex is a subcategory of online sexual activities and is defined as an interaction between two or more people engaging in sexual talk while online for the purposes of sexual pleasure. (Daneback, Cooper, Mansson, 2005) Cybersex includes sexual arousal fostered between individuals or groups through games, film and video clips, computer animation,chat rooms, bulletin boards, instant messaging services, web cameras, Internet porn, and other sources. (Hovey, 2007) During cyber-sex, two or sometimes more people communicate messages describing sexual acts and their own feelings, which are intended to arouse the feelings of both parties involved. Often, partners masturbate while exchanging text messages. (Postema, 2007) There are a variety of reasons why certain individuals choose to engage in cybersex. The main reason, as concluded through study, is the liking of cybersex and cybersex related activities. Specifically, the notion of perceived anonymity and safety of cybersex is what is said to have the largest appeal. (Ross, Rosser, Stanton, 2004) ** History of Cybersex ** Since the beginning of the internet in the late 1980s, it has been used by individuals to make sexual contacts and explore sexual interests. In societies that are technologically advanced enough, it has played a large role in helping the general population acquire knowledge about sex and sexual related activities. Studies indicate that in 2006, more than 70 percent of 15-17 year olds in the United States have used the Internet to access information about sexual health. (Jones, 2007) For many individuals, sexual experiences on the internet go far beyond just searching for information about sex. The internet has evolved to be a place where people can meet and actually communicate with each other in a sexual nature. Thus, the concept of cybersex was born and created a new way for people to communicate their passion for sexual pleasure. In its most basic form, cybersex consists of two or more individuals exchanging erotic messages via email, chat or instant messaging programs. As technology has advanced, there are new forms such as televideo cybersex, in which individuals perform sexually for each other in front of webcams, and even the use of devices with which people can stimulate one another's sexual organs from a distance through appliances connected to their computers. (Jones, 2007) Many of the large North American online dating sites have gone international. (Jones, 2007) There are also a large number of local sites all over the world geared towards the particular cultures of which they are a part of. Online sexual materials and activities have been particularly influential in the lives of some socially out casted individuals such as sexual minorities and individuals with disabilities. For LGBT persons it has made available a wide range of information and emotional support, aided in the “coming-out” process, helped individuals to combat shame and discrimination, find friends and sexual partners, and discuss issues like HIV status. (Jones, 2007) The internet also provides new ways for individuals who are disabled to communicate their sexual desires. The use of cybersex allows some of those individuals to overcome physical limitations they may have in their search for partners. The internet gives those individuals a new way to meet people and connect with others in a setting where the physical body does play as large of a role as it does in the non-online world. ** Culture of Cybersex ** Schwartz and Southern (2000) state, Cybersex has become the new “tea room” for meeting anonymous partners and engaging in a fantasy world. For those individuals who are compulsive cybersex participants, it represents a scenario in which the "high" of being wanted by someone for sex regulates the need to feel included and be appreciated. The fantasy world of cybersex is an experience in which a person escapes the demands of daily life, and enters a world of their choosing. To many cybersex participants, they see an endless variety of partners and sexual activities in their fantasy world. Intense orgasms from the minimal investment of a few keystrokes are powerfully reinforcing.(Schwartz and Southern, 2000) However, compulsive cybersex users may find that more frequent contacts or more illicit activities are required to reach the original high of an ideal sexual encounter. In fact, compulsive cybersex participants frequently spend hours trying to locate fantasy partners or recreate role-play situations. (Schwartz and Southern, 2000) As the amount of sexually explicit content available on the internet has increased, so have attempts by governments and institutions to restrict its availability either through legislative means or though technological methods such as filtering software. Different counties have approached [|censorship] attempts in different ways. In the United States, the government has taken a role in attempting to criminalize online “obscenity,” passing the Communications Decency Act in 1996, which was struck down by the Supreme Court, and later, in 1998, the Child Online Protection Act, which, among other things, mandates that schools and libraries install software to block access to sexually explicit material. (Jones 2007)

** Cybersex in Online Gaming ** Within the website gaming system such as, Second Life, people interact via animated 3D characters called avatars, created using software tools provided by the game. Gamers can write programs to give their characters unique hairstyles and outfits. They can also program their avatars to perform actions such as dancing and swimming. Some gamers are using these programming tools to give their avatars genitalia and erotic outfits, and to have them engage in animated cybersex. (Biever, 2006) Games developers are teaming up with the pornography industry to open up cybersex to the masses. The collaboration has led to the first generation of erotic multiplayer online games: Red Light Center and Naughty America. (Biever, 2006) Multiplying the obsessive passions of sex with those of game-play is a lucrative, but difficult task to accomplish. "If you can get it right, you can make a fortune," says Ren Reynolds, a UK-based virtual-world consultant and avid player of Second Life. (Biever, 2006)

** References **

Ross, M.W., Rosser, B.R.S., Stanton, J. (2004). AIDS Care, 16 (8), p 1002-1011.

Schwartz, Mark., Southern, Stephen. (2000) Compulsive Cybersex: The New Tea Room. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 7, 127-144.

Biever, Celeste. (2006) The Irresistible Rise Of Cybersex. New Scientist, 190 (2556).

Hovey, Jaime. (2007) Sexual Practices. Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender, 4, 1364-1371.

Postema, Barbara. (2007) Chat Room. Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender, 1, 262-263.

Daneback, Kristian., Cooper, Al., Mansson, Sven-Axel. An Internet Study of Cybersex Participants. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 34 (3), 321-328.

Jones, Rodney. (2007) Internet. The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Love, Courtship, and Sexuality through History, Volume 6: The Modern World. 130.

Misick, Bobbi. (2010) Black Women Have Success In Online Dating. Essence.com. Retrieved from http://www.essence.com/relationships/hot_topics_5/black_women_have_less_success_in_online.php