Sex-Related Online Behaviors and Adolescents’ Body and Sexual Self-Perceptions

Abstract

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Research suggests that appearance-focused messages and exaggerated depictions of sexual activity in the media negatively influence adolescents' body and sexual self-perceptions. As adolescents increasingly use the Internet to explore their sexuality, health risks related to online behaviors should be identified. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:This 4-wave study examined the prevalence and development of 2 receptive and 2 interactive sex-related online behaviors and their relations with adolescents' body and sexual selfperceptions. It further investigated which parental strategies regarding Internet use may reduce risky sex-related online behaviors. METHODS: Four-wave longitudinal data among 1132 seventh-to 10th-grade Dutch adolescents (mean age at wave 1: 13.95 years; 52.7% boys) were collected. Developmental trajectories of sex-related online behaviors were estimated by using latent growth curve modeling. Self-perception outcomes at wave 4 and parental strategies predicting online behaviors were investigated by adding regression paths to growth models. RESULTS:Boys occasionally and increasingly used SEIM. Patterns for girls' SEIM use and boys' and girls' sexual information seeking and cybersex were consistently low. SNS use, however, was a common, daily activity for both. Higher initial levels and/or faster increases in sex-related online behaviors generally predicted less physical self-esteem (girls' SNS use only), more body surveillance, and less satisfaction with sexual experience. Private Internet access and less parental rule setting regarding Internet use predicted greater engagement in sex-related online behaviors. CONCLUSIONS:Although most sex-related online behaviors are not widespread among youth, adolescents who engage in such behaviors are at increased risk for developing negative body and sexual selfperceptions. Particular attention should be paid to adolescents' SNS use because this behavior is most popular and may, through its interactive characteristics, elicit more critical self-evaluations. Prevention efforts should focus on parents' role in reducing risky sex-related online behaviors.

Pornography Consumption and Satisfaction: A Meta-Analysis

“…Arguments about detrimental effects on body satisfaction have been based on the position that men in pornography have large, "preternaturally erect" penises (Morrison et al, 2004, p. 145), flat stomachs, and muscular physiques while women are slender and beautiful, with perky breasts, smooth vulvas, and petite labia (Bramwell, 2002;Duggan & McCreary, 2004;Morrison, Ellis, Morrison, Bearden, & Harriman, 2006;Peter & Valkenburg, 2014;Schick, Rima, & Calabrese, 2011;Vandenbosch & Eggermont, 2013). Detrimental effects on self satisfaction have been rooted in the stance that performers in pornography have enviable stamina, virility and technique, the capacity to delay orgasm interminably or climax on call, the ability to attract numerous attractive partners, and the attributes of traditional masculinity (e.g., status, dominance) and femininity (e.g., desired by others, youthful; Doornwaard et al, 2014;Frable, Johnson, & Kellman, 1997;Kvalem et al, 2015;Morrison et al, 2004;Morrison et al, 2006;Tylka, 2014;Vandenbosch & Eggermont, 2013).…”

Pornography, preference for porn‐like sex, masturbation, and men's sexual and relationship satisfaction

“…A three‐wave study of Dutch adolescents uncovered a reciprocal directional relationship between pornography use and sexual satisfaction (Peter & Valkenburg, ). Later, Doornwaard et al (), who also sampled Dutch adolescents, found earlier pornography use to be predictive of later sexual dissatisfaction. Muusses, Kerkhof, and Finkenauer () found that, among newlywed couples, husbands' pornography use was bidirectionally related to their relationship satisfaction.…”

Sex-Related Online Behaviors, Perceived Peer Norms and Adolescents’ Experience with Sexual Behavior: Testing an Integrative Model

“…At the same time, the marginally significant effect of girls’ SNS use on their subsequent descriptive norms requires further examination, especially given its predictive role in girls’ sexual behavior. Together, these findings point to the subtleties that characterize media influence and the importance of examining the (gender-)specific messages adolescents create, post, and are exposed to when they engage in receptive and interactive sex-related online behaviors [2]. …”

“…Sex-related online behaviors refer to the use of the Internet for activities revolving around sexually tinted arousal/entertainment, information-seeking, communication, exploration, self-portrayal, and cybersex [1, 2]. Such behaviors can be receptive, communicating sexual content one-way from medium to user, or interactive, enabling users to create, distribute, and comment on sexual content.…”

“…Evidence to date indicates that SEIM use and SNS use predict various aspects of adolescents’ developing sexuality. These include more permissive and instrumental attitudes toward sex [7–9], less satisfaction with one’s sexual experience [2, 10], more body surveillance and body image concerns [2, 11, 12], and earlier and more advanced experience with sexual behavior [7, 8]. …”