Virtual Sex: Common And Convenient

But Online Sex Can Erode Intimacy And Stunt Social Growth, Doctors Say

(WebMD) 
Weston explains that single parents who don’t have enough time on their hands or widows who are reconnecting with new people are other good examples of those who might benefit from virtual sex -- beyond college students.
While this new wave of sex is a solo act, in some cases, it can encourage communication between partners. In others, not so much.

"There are instances in which virtual sex is helpful because some people work up the courage to speak to their mate about something that arouses them that they found online, that they have not been able to talk about before," says Weston. "Sometimes, though, the virtual sex draws a person away from their partner. Sometimes it can promote secretness and deception. While the former does happen, it’s the latter that probably happens more often."

Changes in Sexual Communication

For those who meet in the online world -- something that is as commonplace today as meeting in a smoky bar -- maybe virtual sex provides an opportunity to open doors that were previously closed.

"Just like any other form of human communication, sexual communication is evolving," says Gurza. "People communicate their sexual desires quite freely via virtual sex, which might not be the case in real -- time sexual connections. Many virtual connections are just precursors for the real thing and as such, this initial openness might lead to increased openness when the sexual deed occurs -- this is a good thing."

It’s easy to access, you can do it in the privacy of your own home, it’s free (or at least cheap), and you can do it as often as you want -- morning, noon, and night. But is there such a thing as too much virtual sex?

Intimacy Issues

"A lot of people are engaging in Internet sex,” says Jenn Berman, Ph.D., a psychologist in private practice in Los Angeles who specializes in family and marriage counseling. "But for people who are doing it regularly or are substituting their intimate relationships for online sex, we’re talking about people who have intimacy issues."

By consistently choosing a computer over the real deal -- whether it’s for sex or for human interaction in general -- one can sense the problems that might arise.

"When you are using a long-distance method to achieve sexual intimacy with a stranger who you never get to know, you are not achieving true intimacy," says Berman. "And if you are using that on a regular basis, it’s preventing you from getting sexual and emotional intimacy in your life. Anytime you prefer to have online sex to actual human company -- a friend calls you up and asks you to dinner and you choose not to go because you’d rather engage in online sex -- that’s when you're headed for trouble."

Cheating Online

And then, of course, comes the question that’s as old as the Internet -- is online sex cheating?

"When one person in a marriage is going to the Internet to get sex, it erodes the intimacy in the marriage," says Berman.

Does it also erode a person’s sense of faithfulness?

"It’s cheating if your spouse considers it cheating," says Berman. "It’s hard to give a blanket definition of cheating, because it’s based on the morals and beliefs of the marriage. But what matters is: does your spouse consider it cheating?"

For some, engaging in high-tech-relationship treason is just as unforgivable as the real thing. For others, maybe it can be overlooked.

"Whether any orgasm-seeking behavior outside the relationship constitutes cheating is up to a couple," says Weston. "And so each relationship defines it on their own terms. Some would say virtual sex is sexually arousing, so it is a failure to keep the agreement. Others would say if there isn’t any physical contact, it’s all fantasy and it doesn’t bother me."

The New Sexual Revolution

The Internet is here to stay, and with it comes a new sexual era.

"One can almost say that there has been a technological sexual revolution," says Gurza. "With every new advent in technology, virtual sex evolves. With the increasing bandwidth and cheapness of procuring oneself with a Web cam, it has added the dimension of video, which fundamentally alters virtual sex. In the past it was either completely auditory or written-word based."

Cell phones offer another choice to the world of virtual sex, adding a different dimension to "can you hear me now?"

"Cell phone text sex is also changing the rules, as it makes it transportable, and can be done from anywhere, not having to be confined in front of a desktop," Gurza tells WebMD. "It makes it much more immediate and getting down to the point, as text messaging is all concise communication."

As the technology evolves and continues to expand into our lives, so will the opportunity for virtual sex. The line between the virtual world and the real world, however, is drawn clearly in the sand.

"Virtual sex can be a great means of pleasuring, and a great precursor or additive to an already healthy person’s sex life," says Gurza. "It is hoped however, that it will not replace or negatively affect an individual’s propensity for real, sensory sexual pleasure."

Sources: Jenn Berman, Ph.D., private practice, Los Angeles. Noah Gurza, co-founder, CampusKiss.com.
Louanne Cole Weston, PhD, marriage and family therapist, board-certified sex therapist, Fair Oaks, Calif.