Four Key Dimensions for Distinguishing Internet Infidelity From Internet and Sex Addiction: Concepts and Clinical Application

Abstract

Along with the advances and positives the Internet can have for relationships, there are also significant challenges to couples and families, including the potential for Internet addiction, Internet infidelity, cybersex, and other issues. The ambiguity between these concepts in literature creates difficulty in diagnosis and treatment for couple therapists. We propose four dimensions that can assist therapists to appropriately distinguish between an Internet infidelity scenario, a sex addiction facilitated by the Internet, and an Internet addiction.