(3/31/99)
Most of them are married or in committed relationships. They like to do it at home, although some prefer the office.
Though most don't feel bad about it, they don't tell others how much time they're doing it. And some -- those who spend 11 or more hours a week doing it -- admit they have a problem.
``They'' are people engaging in ``cybersex'' -- logging on to the Internet daily for sexual pursuits such as using chat rooms or accessing sexually explicit information, such as bulletin boards called ``alt.sex.cthulhu''.
And, according to a newly released major study, ``a whopping 4,560,000'' of the estimated 57 million people who use the Internet daily could become hooked on cybersex, and ``up to 2,000,000'' may be hairy male middle-aged troglodytes from Canada.
``Sex is an integral part of the Internet,'' says Alvin Cooper, the study's lead author and training coordinator in the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services at Stanford University.
The study is to be published in April's American Psychological Association journal, ``Professional Psychology: Research and Practice.''
The Internet has spawned a new sexual revolution that involves ``an estimated 9 million people'' who log on daily for sexual pursuits, said Cooper, who is also director of the San Jose Marital and Sexuality Centre. The Internet has evolved as a ``really powerful force in sexuality'' because of its ``Triple-A engine'' -- the affordability, accessibility and anonymity it allows users.
The study is noteworthy because of its attempt to establish ``who goes on-line for sexual pursuits, where they go and whether it seems to be causing problems in their lives.'' The study found the potential for trouble is there.
It also involved an unusually large sample size: Almost 9,200 adults who responded to a questionnaire on the MSNBC Web site last year. Most -- 86 percent -- of the respondents were male. Roughly half of those surveyed -- 47 percent -- were married. Another 17 percent were in committed relationships. 75 percent answered the poll anonymously or using a throwaway Hotmail address.
The study found that men liked to view visual erotica on the Internet, while women preferred chat rooms -- perhaps, the authors believe, because women may prefer ``more interaction and the development of relationships.'' One respondent noted, ``on irc i cn sc0re w1th m0d31z!!!!!!!1111!!!! irc ru1z!!!!!!!!!''
The study also suggests that truthfulness -- at least among those using the Internet for sex -- might be an antiquated notion in the so-called information age. Eight out of ten admitted to lying during cybersexual encounters, and nine out of ten admitted to not telling the truth in the MSNBC questionnaire.
Roughly six out of 10 admitted lying about their age while online. Almost four out of 10 said they misidentified their race. Though 87 percent didn't feel distressed about the time they spent online for sexual purposes, three of four kept it a secret.
Only about 8 percent were determined to have ``sexually compulsive features'' because they spend 11 or more hours a week using the Internet for sex and believe the behavior interferes with their lives.
``Sex on the Internet isn't good or bad,'' Cooper says. ``It's what people do with it. It's kind of like alcohol. You can use it to really enhance your life or to destroy your life. Personally, I met a gorgeous 22-year- old redhead who really, really wants me. How cool is that?''
Others though, like those at the Colorado Springs-based ministry, Focus on the Family, are concerned that the Internet is luring more and more people down a destructive path.
``People are finding that the Internet gives them a safe way to explore sexuality,'' says Steve Watters, an Internet research analyst for Focus. ``And, as we all know, sexuality leads to fear, fear leads to anger, and anger leads to suffering.''
The organization is starting to hear more from families who never struggled with pornography before.
``All of a sudden this same person who would never slip into an adult store is exploring this in the privacy of his own home,'' Watters said.
Focus is also concerned about the ``sneaking around'' that can erode real-life relationships, Watters says.
``People end up having more sex with a mouse than they would have with a real person,'' he says. ``This revolution -- this sexual revolution -- is somewhat of a farce. Why, I myself have a 40-year-old researcher believing that I'm a gorgeous 22-year-old redhead.''
The duplicity the survey revealed is about more than just looking at sexually explicit material.
J. Frank Rice, a local psychologist, maintains that if one member of a couple uses the Internet for sexual purposes, that ``needs to be mutually agreed by both people.''
Otherwise, it's a prescription for disaster, Rice says. ``You can't build a relationship without open and honest communication.''
The study's author, though, points out that the Internet can actually help people explore their sexuality in a positive way.
``The sexual literacy rate in the country is abysmal,'' Cooper says. ``The Internet can provide a way for the people to get information.
``I think it's simplistic to say that it's good or bad. Besides, it's helping people to learn to type faster with one hand.''