Online sexual activities and motives: an approach from the sexual diversity perspective

The use of the Internet for sexual purposes (AKA cybersex) is an increasingly widespread activity in all the population. However, the way in which it is conducted (frequency, types of online sexual activity –ASO–, motivations) may change depending on characteristics such as sexual orientation. When feeling sexual attraction towards people of the same sex supposed rejection and stigmatization, cybersex was a safe space where to experiment with sexuality; thus, it was easy to understand that their consumption among homosexual and bisexual people was higher. Currently, its use as a safe space seems to be in a second place, gaining prominence its use as a plausible way to connect romantically and sexually with other people. The objective of this work was to analyze if certain aspects of cybersex consumption (frequency, types of ASO and reasons for consumption) vary depending on sexual orientation. With this aim, 553 people between 18-40 years old (54.2% men, 45.8% women; 36.2% heterosexual, 36.2% bisexual, 27.7% homosexual) completed an online survey on cybersex consumption. In men, sexual orientation (being homosexual or bisexual) showed great influence, mainly in ASOs that require contact with other users (looking for a partner [p.001] or using the webcam for sexual purposes [p.01]) and the social motives for doing so (e.g., using it to establish relationships [p=.001]). In women, influence of sexual orientation was limited to some specific ASO (insinuate other users [p.01] or use the webcam for sexual purposes [p.001]) and some motives (such as using it to relax from stress [p= .01]); In this case, bisexual women answered affirmatively more frequently. These differences are discussed in the context of the current construction of sexual diversity.