The Internet’s impact on sexuality: A critical review of 15 years of research
Date
2009
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Publisher
Computers in Human Behavior
Abstract
The body of empirical research on Internet sexuality has grown steadily since 1993. The following paper
provides an overview of the current state of research in this field in its full thematic breadth, addressing
six areas of online sexuality: Pornography, sex shops, sex work, sex education, sex contacts, and sexual
subcultures. Key research results are presented concerning Internet sexuality’s forms of manifestation,
participant groups, opportunities, and risks. This paper shows that sexually related online activities have
become routine in recent years for large segments of the population in the Western world. Internet sexuality
also takes somewhat different forms based on the age, gender, and sexual orientation of the individual.
Academic studies to date have focused overwhelmingly on the possible negative effects of
Internet sexuality. By contrast, little research has been conducted on potential benefits. Consequently,
a surprising number of gaps are evident in the scholarship on Internet sexuality.
2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Keywords
internet, sexuality, Psychosexual behaviour, pornography, sex education, sexual offences
Citation
Döring, N. M. (2009). The Internet’s impact on sexuality: A critical review of 15 years of research. Computers in Human Behavior, 25(5), 1089-1101.