During the past decade, there is a considerable increase in the number of people who access the internet. Internet has provided us with a large number of benefits- increased knowledge, reduced communication barriers across the globe. However, the internet has also given rise to various bad effects as well, ‘Cybering’ or ‘Cyber sex’ being the most prominent.
The proliferation of cable systems and internet in the last two decades has made sexually explicit media so enormously prevalent at an accelerating rate which made it more and more accessible to both the rich and poor, young and old, educated and less educated alike. Like a cancer, cybersex keeps spreading, growing and rarely reverses itself. According to Vanwesenbeeck’s report, what the proliferation of cable systems and internet offered to the viewers varies from often soft, but sometimes hardcore, porn movies to very explicit documentaries about ordinary and less ordinary people’s sexual lives. Vanwensenbeeck, I. (2001) Psychosexual Correlates of Viewing Sexually Explicit Sex on Television Among Women in The Netherlands.
Thus, the sex trade has taken advantage of the elimination of many social and legal controls on the internet under the protection of free speech laws.
Raskin, R. (2000, December) Cyber Space’s Red-light District Family PC Magazine.
The aim of this article is to explain what cybersex is, x-ray the factors promoting cybersex among internet and cable network users, elucidate the dangers of cybersex, and suggest some preventive interventions with a view to helping the individual concerned and the society at large to stop the spread of the “cancer”.
WHAT IS CYBERING?
Cybering also called internet sex, cybersex…, according to the 21st Century Chambers Dictionary, is sexual activity or information available through computer network. In my opinion, internet sex or cybersex is a participation in the platform for a variety of sexual experiences from passive viewing of pornography to active participation in interactive videos made obscene possible by the internet. Wikipedia explains cybersex as ‘a virtual sex encounter in which two or more persons connected remotely via computer network send each other sexually explicit messages describing s sexual experience. It is a form sexual role play in which the participants pretend they are having actual sex. In one form, this fantasy sex is accomplished by the participants describing their actions and responding to their chat partners in a mostly written form designed to stimulate their own sexual feelings and fantasies’. Cybersex beyond doubt, is a growing phenomenon with a significant negative impact on participants
FACTORS THAT BOOST CYBERSEX AMONG INTERNET USERS
In the article, sexuality and the internet: surfing into the new Generation: (Cooper, 2008) discussed his “Triple A Engine” model of Cybersex- (Accessibility, afford-ability, and anonymity) which he rightfully tagged as the reason d’être for what was then the rising wave of cyber porn and what is now a massive tsunami tearing the world apart.
As an information bank, the internet provides great accessibility to all kinds of contents, including offensive. The internet can be accessed from numerous locations such as homes, cybercafe, schools, work place… thus, people addicted to cybersex or internet sex are convenience by freedom to choose location and time.
Affordability makes it easy for internet users to have access to porn and other sexual material. The low cost means of satisfying their sexual desire has proven to be one of the prime causes for the increased tally of cyber sex, over the years.
People involved in internet sex feel that the internet would be the best bet which allows the users to maintain an anonymous identify while obtaining porn or having sexual interactions with other people online. The users of internet for sexual gratification feel that they cannot be recognized when they are online.
DANGERS OF CYBERSEX
According to Schneider and Weiss, people addicted to processes such as sex… are drug addicted. Such persons have found behaviors that induce chemical activation in their brains and have become addicted to these mood altering behaviors. Schneider, J. & Weiss, R. (2001) Cyber sex exposed: Simple fantasy or obsession? Minnesola: Hazeldon. Thus, someone addicted to cyber sex can spend several hours online allowing other responsibilities to suffer.
Although cyber sex does not involve physical contact, the powerful emotions involved can cause marital stress, especially when it culminates in an internet romance which in several known cases became the ground for divorce.
Cyber sex breeds sexual behaviors that may be subjectively negative and thus increase the risk of developing sexuality deviant tendencies, such as raping, masturbation, same sex, women offenders. Ayodele, O. (2009) Article- It’s just more than viewing: An investigation into the frequency and motives for viewing x-rated films and cyber sex in Contemporary Humanities, Vol 3.
Pedophiles and ephebophiles utilize the anonymity factor of the internet to seek out under age cyber sex partners. It is also important to note that the separate risk factor of cyber sex, results in social isolation and loss or work productivity.
During an on-line role playing game, there is the possibility for one of the participants to use the wrong command and end up sending an explicit and erotic message meant only for their partner to several other people, is not to everybody currently playing that game.
Above all, cybersex make us unholy, and thus, our relationship with God and fellow human beings is corrupted each time we engage in cybersex.
CONCLUSION
Following the alarming rate at which the average internet users today involve in cybering, the future of the world is a stake if nothing is done to combat the spread of this viral disease which in a large scale has infected millions of teenagers and youths all over the world, adults inclusive.
It is thus essential that proper awareness and public enlightenment be constantly organized by government, NGOs and religious institutions to expose the affective, psychological, social, economical, physical and spiritual effects of cybersex.
It is important for parents and guardians to really re-appraise their roles in enlightening their young stars on issues related to sex rather than leaving it in the hands of schools, peers or the media. Sex education based on godly founded principles should be introduced into school curriculum from the primary to tertiary levels of the education system if we are to protect the future of our growth and nation.
Cybering is an emergency! It must be attacked with immediate alacrity.
REFERENCES
Ayodele, O. (2009) Article- It’s just more than viewing: An investigation into the frequency and motives for viewing x-rated films and cybersex in Contemporary Humanities, Vol 3.
Cooper, (1998) Article- Sexuality and the Internet: Surfing into the New Generation.
Raskin, R. (2000, December) Cyber Space’s Red-light District Family PC Magazine.
Schneider, J. & Weiss, R. (2001) Cyber sex exposed: Simple fantasy or obsession? Minnesola: Hazeldon
Vanwensenbeeck, I. (2001) Psychosexual Correlates of Viewing Sexually Explicit Sex on Television Among Women in The Netherlands..
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