Sex on the Internet: observations and implications for Internet sex addiction

Journal of Sex Research, Nov, 2001 by Mark Griffiths

Other indirect evidence for the existence of Internet sex addiction comes from Orzack and Ross (2000), who described the treatment of two Internet sex addicts who both fit the criteria for computer addiction, sexual addiction, and cybersexual addiction. They claimed that the majority of those addicted to virtual sex who present for inpatient and outpatient treatment usually have more pervasive sexual or other behavioral and/or chemical addictions. The aim of their research was to demonstrate the complexities of treating compulsive Internet sex. They compared cybersex addiction as an equivalent to an eating disorder. They stressed that they were not trying to imply that humans were dependent on computers for life sustenance. Furthermore, unlike human sexuality, computer usage is not an innate human need or drive. However, they argued that like, for example, the television and telephone, the computer is an essential feature of modern life. They further claimed that treatment modalities developed from treating other addictions (i.e., food and sex) were applicable in treating cybersex addiction. They concluded that cybersex addiction (i.e., Internet sex addiction) exists and is an extremely potent addiction that must be treated as such.

One area in which there appears to be very little data is in the area of sexual Internet use by children and adolescents. According to Freeman-Longo (2000), little is known about sexual addiction in these groups, and even less about children, teens, sex, and the Internet. At best we can only speculate what may occur based upon what we know about adults who develop sexual addiction. What we do know is that children and teenagers can and do develop compulsive sexual behavior, such as masturbation (Barbaree, Marshall & Hudson, 1993; Ryan & Lane, 1997), and that sexual addiction may be possible given that compulsivity is often a precursor to addiction. Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of counselors and therapists seeing children and teens in their practice who come in for problems associated with online sexual activities (see Freeman-Longo, 2000). Research regarding children and sexual activity on the Internet is therefore needed. There is uncertainty about children's potential to become sexual compulsives/addicts if they engage in online behaviors. In a population of children exposed to online pornography and adult-oriented materials, can we differentiate factors of emotional vulnerability and other personality traits that would predispose some to become sexual compulsives and addicts? Does online sexual behavior/activity predispose some children to act out sexually or to engage in sexually abusive behaviors (Freeman-Longo, 2000)? Such questions could form the basis for further empirical research.

CONCLUSION

If Internet sex addiction is to become a viable term there must be scientific evidence to support it, clarification of the criteria accepted by all, and quantification of its occurrence. The lack of data from representative samples using instruments of known quality make it very difficult to gauge how serious the problems in this area might be. Thus, the field is still in conceptual crisis as some researchers amalgamate categories of sex addiction together that have similarities, whereas some divide and subcategorize. At present the question of whether Internet sex addiction is fundamentally different from other, more traditional forms of sex addiction cannot be answered until the existence of more empirical research evidence. However, it does appear to be the case that Internet sex is a new medium of expression that may increase participation because of key factors, such as perceived anonymity and disinhibition.