Abstract
The purpose of the article is twofold: to alert the naive user of the World Wide Web that searching for sex therapy and sex education informational resources is a difficult task and, secondly, to invite the reader to access a web site designed by the authors (http://www.jagunet.com/~dgotlib/meanstreets.htm) that contains hyperlinks to a number of recommended sites.
Because there is no centralized and continuously updated master index of sexuality resources on the World Wide Web, most naive users are required to employ commercial search engines. The authors describe the nature and bias of search engines: their tendency to locate sites with explicit sexual graphics and advertisements by those who seek to make profits from sexual services and supplies. Politically active sexual and gender groups have a strong presence on the Web. Frequently web sites lack credibility because of lack of authorship or credentials of author (if identified). The authors suggest basic guidelines for the novice Web user who seeks information about sex therapy or sex education/information. They also urge members of the sex therapy and education communities to become more involved in the dialogue with the companies who run the search engines.
A limitation of this report is that it is designed to be used by those with access to the World Wide Web. Unless the reader accesses the site designed by the authors, he or she will have been warned of all the negative aspects of the Web without experiencing the multitude of resources that are available to those who seek information about sex therapy and sex education.