CYBER SEX, FUTURE ADDICTIONS OF SEX??

CYBER SEX, FUTURE ADDICTIONS OF SEX?????

Cyber sex allows a person to take on another identity or their own and engage in sexual conduct via the computer with others around the globe. Sexual stimulates via the internet has caused major disruptions within societies. Many users of cyber sex have been prone to addiction which has caused the separation of couples and the break up of families. The perception that individuals are anonymous through the internet allows them to perform deviant acts towards others without consequence.

Through cyber sex and the computer screen people are able to be sexually stimulated. This sexual stimulates has been a cause of addiction for many people, in which they are unable to stop using the cyber sex forums. Addiction to these websites has become a real problem in which has broken families and spilt couples. “Studies show that men are more likely to view cyberporn, while women are more likely to engage in erotic chat” (Center for internet addiction recovery. 2008). The majority of people that engage with cyber sex have common characteristics such as low self esteem, insufficient body image, high sexual desires, or prior addictions to sexual conduct. People whom have suffered from previous cyber sex addictions usually have also had many other addictions such as alcohol, smoking, sex and mainly drug addictions. Addictions to the internet and cyber sex have been known to be connected with people who suffer from emotional problems.

The ability to engage with other people anonymously allows the person to become whoever they wish and allow them to escape their emotional issues. Some of these emotional problems and addict can suffer from include depression and anxiety related disorders. Internet addicts use applications such as chat rooms, instant messaging, or online gaming as a safe way of establishing new relationships and more confidently relating to others. Addiction to cyber sex is occurring more often these days with the ability to be anonymous. “Usually the addiction to cyber sex, like any other addiction, escalates once the person has unnatural urges to use it continuously”( Center for internet addiction recovery. 2008). The user’s addiction grows and they soon begin to feel preoccupied with using the Internet for sexual purposes. Cyber sex addicts will go to any extent to keep their addiction concealed and often feel guilt or shame because of the secret hurt they are causing to their real life partners.

The appeal of cyber sex is that it’s very easily accessible, affordably and the user is able to use it anonymously. Cyberspace allows an individual to create identities and become whoever they desire with the ability to control age, nationality, disability, appearance, relationship statues, weight and even sex. Therefore an overweight, middle eastern man with a disability can create is own ideal perception of himself, to a young, thin and highly successful male. “The ability to be anonymous creates a scary environment in which any person can use to experiment and secretly begin to explore online website which they would normally not”( Center for internet addiction recovery. 2008). Accessibility of the internet is simple enough; most people especially in first world countries own their own computer with the internet. The accessibility of the internet allows people to perceive the Internet use as personal and untraceable and they use the anonymity of the Internet to explore hidden or repressed sexual fantasies. Individuals who use cyber sex are able to at a low price, they are also able to interact and experiment with others who use cyber sex as well, such as chat rooms. The appeal to users is that they are unable to do this type of activity in the real world, which can make them be creators and rule over their own virtual world in which they feel empowered.

The fact that internet porn isn’t illegal, except for child pornography allows any person to view and interact with cyber sex chat rooms and websites without legal consequence. With the ability for many people to connect to cyber sex or porn websites it becomes clear that as society evolves with the internet so to will the perception of intercourse. The need to feel empowered over others by only reveling your ideal perception can cause all negative approaches such as addiction.

REFERENCE LIST:
Center for internet addiction recovery. 2008. www.netaddiction.com/cybersexual_addiction.htm. (Acessed 10 May, 2008)