Although it’s a "virtual" sexual encounter, the addictive power and destructive capacities of cybersex are still very real. The growth in Internet technologies has spurred thousands of new sex and pornography websites that can be accessed from anywhere, anytime with anonymity, creating an environment where millions of adults find themselves addicted to cybersex.

Cybersex can include viewing sexual images or content online, talking about the material with others online, or engaging in two-way conversations about sex acts. It can also include the use of Web cameras to engage in sexual acts with another partner online.

Why the Spread of Cybersex Addiction?

One of the causes for growth in cybersex addiction is dramatically increased accessibility to online resources. The growth of smarthphone technology has made it increasingly difficult to know who is participating in cybersex, allowing more access in environments like the workplace. Internet cafes and wireless Internet connections from bars, restaurants, libraries and other locations are also contributing to cybersex addictions across all demographic groups.

Another reason people may become involved in cybersex is that it allows people to create a made-up world, portray a new identity, and escape their present environment. Consequences like sexually transmitted diseases hold almost no risk, and a person can view thousands of different sexual partners or materials with the false belief that the activity is harmless.

Similarly, people engage in cybersex because they feel they can experiment sexually without anyone knowing their true identity, providing what they believe to be a safer environment than a paid sex establishment. They can also portray a version of themselves that’s a different gender or age, adding to an element of secrecy. Experiences with cybersex can also cost less than paying for other sexual services – another reason people easily become addicted.

Symptoms of Cybersex Addiction

The symptoms of cybersex addiction demonstrate the ways this addiction is harmful on a physical, emotional, social and financial level:

• People with cybersex addiction become obsessed with the behavior, spending multiple hours away from their work and family to access it.
• They may engage in sexual conversations online at times when the household is asleep, resulting in lack of concentration at work or school.
• As the cybersex addiction progresses, they may be unable to stop themselves from engaging in a sexual experience online, in public or bizarre locations, and sometimes with family members or their spouse nearby.
• Social relationships decline as the person with a cybersex addiction spends more and more hours engaging in the material.
• They may not be able to refrain from accessing the materials in the workplace, even though the consequences are known.
• There is also a strong level of distraction that seriously hinders work performance and can lead to job loss.
• Similar to substance abuse, more of the materials or interactions are needed to achieve the same level of high or escape over time. Images that once seemed appalling begin to seem acceptable as the cybersex addict searches for more extreme materials.
• If the person is unable to access cybersex materials online, they may grow anxious and restless.

According to a Stanford University study, researchers estimate that there may be more than nine million people with Internet sex addictions in the U.S. Experts believe the brain’s reward systems are involved in cybersex addiction, and that the severity of the cravings can be compared to substance abuse. More research is addressing the brain-level causes of this complex condition as new treatments and treatment centers become more widely available for cybersex addiction.