Are Online Sexual Activities and Sexting Good for Adults’ Sexual Well-Being? Results From a National Online Survey

Abstract

Objectives: Online sexual activities (OSA) and sexting are often framed as risk behaviors in adolescents. This study investigates experiences of adults. Methods: Based on the positive sexuality approach, the current study measured prevalence, predictors, and perceived outcomes of OSA and sexting in a national online sample of N = 1,500 participants from Germany (ages 18–85). Results: 68% of adults reported previous involvement in OSA and 41% in sexting. Perceived positive OSA and sexting outcomes outweighed the negative. Conclusions: Sexual health professionals should acknowledge online sexual expression in adults of the general population as normal and mostly positive behavior.

Keywords:

• Cybersexuality
• sexting
• internet
• sexual health promotion
• pleasure

Conflict of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Author note

Nicola Döring, Research Group Media Psychology and Media Design, Institute of Media and Communication Science, TU Ilmenau; M. Rohangis Mohseni, Research Group Media Psychology and Media Design, Institute of Media and Communication Science, TU Ilmenau.