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What are some of the ways the Internet is used for sexual purposes?

Uses of the internet for sexually motivated behavior include:

  • Buying or selling sexually related goods for further use offline

  • Seeking out material for entertainment/masturbatory purposes for use online

  • Seeking out sexual partners for a transitory relationship (i.e., escorts, prostitutes, swingers) via online personal advertisements/"lonely hearts" columns, escort agencies, and or chat rooms

  • Engaging in and maintaining online relationship via e-mail and/or chat rooms

  • Exploring gender and identity roles by swapping gender or creating other personas and forming online relationships

  • Seeking out individuals who then become victims of sexually related internet crime (online sexual harassment, cyber-stalking, pedophilic "grooming" of children)