Cybersex Photos, Videos Can’t Be Easily Removed from Internet, Adding to Emotional Damage

Five years ago it may have been a relatively unheard of term, but “cybersex” has now become a part of sexual activity for millions of people, even gathering descriptions like “trendy.” However, the risks and consequences of cybersex are very real, as are the numerous cybersex cases each year that send private photos of people into the public eye.

One group believed at higher risk for cybersex crime may be young girls, who are noted in increasing legal cases as being manipulated or blackmailed into posting illicit photographs of themselves online. Images can quickly be sent out via texting, email and social media sites, exploiting girls and placing them at greater risk for being pursued by a sexual predator.

Additionally, cybersex photos or videos cannot be removed from the Internet once they’ve been sent out in multiple channels to multiple users, causing serious emotional damage.

Cybersex can take on a variety of forms, but generally involves two partners engaging in an exchange of sexual images or videos along with sexual messages. Many people assume a fictitious identity during cybersex or engage in bizarre activities outside of their normal patterns.

The anonymity that can be accomplished through cybersex also adds to its danger. Sexual predators of any age may pretend to be a teen if they are seeking a teen cybersex relationship. In some parts of the world, cybersex workers collect payment over the Internet for services delivered via web cam, and it can be impossible to determine if the buyer is a minor.

Laws against cybersex with minors and cybersex crimes are increasing, as addressed in a recent article on Defi Media, but the complex nature of social media and online communications makes distribution of sexual images or videos increasingly difficult to manage. Cybersex is also a factor in rapidly increasing numbers of sexual addictions, because the online “high” can be achieved almost anywhere, anytime. Marriage therapists and counselors are also reporting greater numbers of cases involving cybersex as a form of infidelity.

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