Internet porn is the largest internet commerce (Jaychandran, 2006). Signs of internet porn addiction are typically:
1. Large amounts of time spent in chat rooms or engaging in cyber-sex
2. Preoccupation with using the internet to find sexual activities
3. Anonymity online
4. Expectation of future online sexual encounters
5. Participant moves from cybersex to phone sex, and sometimes to real-life meetings
6. Hides online activities from others
7. Masturbation while online
8. Feeling guilt or shame
9. Less interested in real sex partners, prefer cybersex as primary sexual gratification.
The majority of problems caused by sex addiction happen because it interferes with marital or partner relationships (Greenfield, & Orzack, 2002). Partners frequently feel hurt, betrayed, rejected, abandoned, devastated, jealous, angry, and experience a loss of self-esteem. The majority of partners feel that online affairs are just as painful as live affairs (Young, 2008).
Cooper (1998) suggests three factors that contribute to porn addiction: accessibility, affordability, and anonymity. "Individuals who suffer from low self-esteem, who feel lonely, restless, or withdrawn can use cybersex to feel better about themselves and their circumstances (Young, 2008).
Young (2008) states that internet sex addiction follows progressive stages:
1. Discovery
2. Experimentation
3. Escalation of habit
4. Compulsive use
5. Hopelessness.
If you think a loved-one may be dealing with a porn or sexual addiction, contact a psychotherapist for support. Also, I recommend this book: "Tangled in the Web" (2001) by K.S. Young.
References:
Jaytrandran, C.R. (2006). Porn rules net revenue charts. The Economic Times, Sept. 2003
Greenfield, D., Orzach, M. (2002). The electric bedroom: Clinical assessment of online sexual problems and Internet-enabled sexual behavior. In Sex and Internet: A guidebook for clincians (p. 129-145). New York: Brunner-Routledge
Young, K.S. (2008). Internet Sex Addiction: Risk Factors, Stages of Development, and Treatment. American behavioral Scientist, 52-21. Sage Publications
Cooper, A. (1998). Sexuality and the Internet: Surfing into the new millenium. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 1, 187-193
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