Warning: Relying on the Internet for sex and advice may harm your health

by Maria Lironi

Viewing online porn or using the Internet to become sexually aroused, in conjunction with using the Net as a source of sexual information, may harm your offline relationships and your health.

That's one of the findings from a survey of 760 UVic first-year psychology students.

Dr. Sylvain Boies, a psychologist in UVic counselling services, asked the students—96 per cent of whom were under the age of 25—to participate in the 2002 study by completing an online questionnaire. The 120-question survey asked respondents how they felt they performed socially, their bonds with family, their sexual practices, and their interest in relationships and sex on the Internet.

The study examined differences in Internet-related problems and psycho-social functioning among four patterns of participation in online sexual information and entertainment activities. The four subgroups were: entertainment seekers, who use the Web to access porn or become sexually aroused; information seekers, who use the Net to access sex information; seekers of both entertainment and information; and students who said they don't use the Internet for either type of activity.

Respondents who don't use the Internet for arousal or information about sex were more satisfied and connected with their offline life than other groups. Students who only seek sexual information online had strong offline affiliations. Those who only view porn or seek sexual arousal online didn't show signs of being dissatisfied with their offline life either. However, students who use the Net for both types of activities found that their real-life relationships and overall functioning suffered.

"Young adults who overuse the Internet to a degree that limits their participation in real life appear to be at risk of developing sexual and relationship problems," Boies explains. "This can delay or distort the development of their sense of who they are and their ability to form intimate and satisfying relationships."

Boies study was published in last month's issue of Cyberpsychology & Behavior, a bimonthly peer-reviewed journal that explores the impact of the Internet, multimedia and virtual reality on behaviour and society.