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The influence of technology on human sexuality

The influence of technology on human sexuality

March 6, 2024

The technological advance has generated important changes over time, which apparently are imperceptible. However, when making a comparison between different periods, the transformations that human beings have suffered in the way they relate, communicate, behave, etc., are evident.

Likewise, the adherence that has occurred towards technological devices, Internet, social networks and applications that become a primordial part in the life of each individual is notorious. "The very acceleration of time today offers individuals new spaces and, possibly, new forms of social dynamics" (Pérez, 2010).

Sexuality, being one of the most important facets of life of the majority of people, it has also received the influences of this technological transformation. In this we will focus next.


  • Related article: "The 7 most widespread erroneous beliefs about sex"

How technological changes have transformed sexuality

The common use of the Internet and the possession of mobile phones , along with the combination of both with smartphones, is occurring at an unexpected speed. In this way, people are able to communicate and distribute information immediately, causing the intercommunication of people and a new model of social relationships (Agustina, 2010, Ryan, 2010).

In addition to this, it is important to consider the consequences that long-term technological progress can generate, taking into account that it is becoming faster and more unpredictable, just as permeates different areas of life, including sexuality .


The following are recent changes in our way of relating and living, based on the relationship between new technologies and sexuality.

1. Internet

Currently, the main source of information of all kinds is the Internet, short for Interconnected Networks, which means "interconnected networks" and refers to the union of all networks and computers distributed throughout the world (Arranz , Eskoriatza, 2007).

It is common for young people and adults to use this medium to obtain information about doubts or concerns they have regarding sexuality . However, in doing so, they can find different types of information, which can be reliable sources that contain congruent data or places where the information is not accurate and causes more confusion in browsers.

2. Content for adults on the Web

Pornography, by having free access to its content, can be seen by people of all ages, and thus, affect sexual identity, self-image and interpersonal relationships thereof.


According to Klaus Beier, Professor of Sexology at the Charité University Clinic in Berlin, 30% of children between the ages of 8 and 13 have already seen pornographic content, generating ideals difficult to achieve in real life, such as unrealistic sexual encounters and exaggerated expectations of the couple , also creating a preconceived idea of ​​how they should act.

It is clear that the internet has influenced the sexuality of the new generations, there are people who can distinguish between fiction and reality, using it as a source of eroticism without suffering any harm, however, it does not happen in this way in all cases.

3. Grooming

Another of the technological practices that have had a strong impact on sexuality, mainly in minors, is Grooming, defined as the way in which some people approach children and young people to gain their trust, create emotional bonds and be able to abuse they sexually (Villacampa, Gómez, 2016).

Frequently, the groomer (person who seeks to harm the child) uses technological means such as social networks to initiate the link , offering understanding and advice while obtaining information or images of the child in sexual or pornographic situations.

Obtaining these images is essential to control and frighten the child, having as a goal in the future, to establish physical sexual contact with the child or introduce it into environments of sexual exploitation and prostitution.

  • Maybe you're interested: "Grooming: a new danger for teenagers on the internet"

4. Sexting

Now, technology to enable new and diverse social practices, coupled with the search for people to manifest their sexual desire, leads to sexting, a term that refers to the act of sending texts, photographs and videos with content of a certain sexual level , taken or recorded by the protagonist of the same, by mobile phone.

Alluding to the phrase of D.H.Lawrence "Be silent when you have nothing to say, when genuine passion moves you, say what you have to say, and say it hot", Sexting can be useful in adult sexual life, since it expresses a game of seduction between two individuals, who when sending and receiving images, texts or erotic videos stimulate their imagination by increasing sexual desire.

This practice can be considered by some people as a sexual relationship moved to the screen of the mobile device . On the other hand, according to research conducted at the University of Michigan, United States, Sexting is becoming a regular part of courtship.

However, there are different risks in carrying out this practice, since the material with sexual themes can end up in unwanted hands and be spread very easily and widely, so that the initial sender loses all control over the dissemination of said contents.

Affective bonding through mobile applications

In terms of how to start relationships, technology has a strong impact through different mobile applications, through which the romantic love of past centuries has been there, in the past. Currently, a large number of people are known virtually, love at first sight comes from a photo, you have a first conversation in a chat on social networks and links through a screen.

An example of such mobile applications is Tinder , geosocial application (specifies the geographical distance between an individual and another), by means of which, according to compatibilities on personality, interests, age and friends in common, men and women are shown with different photos that are observed by users and on that basis approve or disapprove the other. Once two people approve the application puts them in contact so they can talk and make appointments or meetings (Bonavitta, 2015).

According to Espinoza Rojas (2015), Tinder and other applications or similar platforms, they look for fill the void that produces the loneliness of a society connected in digital networks , but not in human networks, in a society that has worn away the community and supersedes individuality and distance from others.

Haptic technology

In addition to mobile applications, there are also devices based on haptic technology (touch), that is, one that allows physical contact between human-machine or human being with another human being, in which a device mediates the relationship having as purpose to produce real sensations while two people are at a distance (Bonavitta, 2015).

An example of devices based on haptic technology is Lovepalz, designed to maintain technologically mediated sex. This instrument consists of two devices, for the man takes the name of Zeus and for the woman, Hera. Both are designed according to the physiology of each sex. Zeus, in the manner of a phallic-shaped vibrator and Hera in the shape of a masturbator, imitating the vaginal cavity.

People can feel the sexual movement of their partners simulating intercourse by transmitting in real time what it is that a person is doing at the muscular level with their sexual organs. LovePalz is mediated with an iPhone application which will be the one that connects via Wi-Fi what happens in one device and transmits it to the other, finishing building a complete platform for virtual sex.

More technology does not imply better intimate relationships

By way of conclusion, this type of applications and technological devices, enable communication with others without having the need to resort to face-to-face relationships, decreasing social skills and tools to generate a lasting affective bond. The fact that the number of means to maintain communication has increased does not mean that communication, contact and interaction between people improve.

The ways in which people establish ties has changed over time. The way in which sexuality is lived as well as the stories and their contents have also changed, generating conflicts as distrust in couples because of a "like" in social networks, perhaps as the subject of an endless discussion to hear the "I leave in sight", or the distancing in the couple because of the preference to satisfy their sexual needs only through media digital as pornography or virtual realities.

Bibliographic references:

  • Angustina, J.R. (2010). Minor offenders or victims of child pornography? Electronic Journal of Criminal Science and Criminology. Retrieved on September 5, 2017 from: //criminet.ugr.es/recpc/12/recpc12-11.pdf
  • Arranz, J. & Eskoriatz, C.S. (2007). Internet, Pediatrics and the Web. Jornadas de Pediatría de Álava. Retrieved on September 5, 2017 from: //www.avpap.org/documentos/jornadas2007/internet.pdf
  • Bonavitta, P. (2015). Love in the Tinder Times. Culture and Social Representations.Retrieved on September 6, 2017 from: //www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/crs/v10n19/v10n19a9.pdf
  • Espinoza, J. (2015) Reconfiguring love: Technological mediation and affective relationships. Academic Question Magazine. Vol. 1, No. 45 (January-March 2015).
  • Pérez, G. (2010). Cybersocialization and adolescence: a new binomial for reflection in social education. Social Education Magazine. Retrieved on September 7, 2017 from: //www.eduso.net/res/?b=14&c=129&n=367
  • Villacampa, C. & Gómez, M.J. (2016). New Technologies and Sexual Victimization of Minors by Online Grooming. Electronic Journal of Criminal Science and Criminology. Retrieved on September 6, 2017 from: //criminet.ugr.es/recpc/18/recpc18-02.pdf

Media's Impact on Sexuality (March 2024).


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