Cybersex and the E‐teen: What Marriage and Family Therapists Should Know

Abstract

Adolescents who use the Internet regularly (the "e-teen") present a new set of challenges for marriage and family therapists. This article introduces marriage and family therapists to (a) the basic technological concepts and unique psychological characteristics of the Internet important in understanding and addressing adolescent online sexual behavior, (b) the appropriate developmental expectations for teens online, including risk-taking behaviors and critical decision-making skills, and (c) suggested strategies for assessment, prevention, and intervention when dealing with problematic online sexual behavior in adolescents. Marriage and family therapists cannot ignore the role the Internet plays in adolescent sexual development and its implication for the family. This article will serve as a primer for the marriage and family therapist when presented with adolescents who engage in online sexual behaviors.

Adolescents’ experience of offline and online risks: Separate and joint propensities

“…Recent empirical evidence suggests that, similar to offline risk experiences, online risk experiences do often co-occur and are associated with similar characteristics (Hasebrink, Görzig, Haddon, Kalmus, & Livingstone, 2011). The hypothesis that those who encounter offline risks are more likely to encounter online risks, whether because of their personality or behaviour, is supported by survey evidence (Palfrey, Sacco, Boyd, DeBonis, 2008;Wolak, Finkelhor, & Mitchell, 2008), clinical reports (Delmonico & Griffin, 2008;Mitchell & Wells, 2007), policy analysis (Byron, 2008) and criminal cases (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, 2010). Further examples include the findings that involvement in traditional bullying predicts cyberbullying (Görzig, 2011;Kowalski, Morgan, & Limber, 2012), that those who engage in more risky offline (and risky online) activities are more likely to be involved in sexting (Livingstone & Görzig, 2014) or that online and offline sex offenders show similar characteristics and tactics (Wolak & Finkelhor, 2013).…”

Young Adult Females’ Perceptions of High-Risk Social Media Behaviors: A Focus-Group Approach

“…Social networking sites have practical nonsexual uses, but present a risk for inappropriate or sexualized activities (Delmonico & Griffin, 2008). Risky social media behaviors may include posting nude or sexually provocative photos or videos, or sexualized communications via chat rooms or social network posting.…”

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

“…Certainly, if the individual has considerable difficulty curbing their Internet behavior, there may be an addiction to the Internet; if they are able to curb the online behavior but are still seeking opportunities to be exposed to sexually explicit material elsewhere, the problem may be one of sexual addiction. In regards to symptoms of online sexual addiction, Delmonico and Griffin (2008) compiled a list of symptoms adolescents may display when they are experiencing online sexual behavior problems, some of which may apply to adults.…”