Abstract
This chapter discusses the rapid, technology-driven changes in the world of romance, courtship, intimacy, and sex since the introduction of the internet in the mid-1990s, with particular reference to the US. It begins by discussing several instances of successful individuals whose reputations and careers have been destroyed by exposure of their involvement in online infidelity. It delves into the phenomenon of online hookup sex and its implications for relationships, especially among young people, including the increased potential for serial sexual addiction. It argues that continuous technological innovations will make the experience of virtual sex increasingly realistic, accessible, and appealing. Some areas of emerging technology in this area, such as the use of haptic technology in remote sex, are briefly described. The chapter concludes by stressing the need for developing and offering specific strategies to help people recognize and recover from compulsive online sexual behaviour and its profound impact on social and relational skills.
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Notes
- 1.
See Sex Addicts Anonymous, http://saa-recovery.org/ (accessed 23 August 2017).
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Viano, E.C. (2018). Technology and Virtual Sex: Online Infidelity in the US. In: Sahni, S., Jain, G. (eds) Internet Infidelity. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5412-9_5
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