In the context of human sexuality, what are the advantages and disadvantages of Internet use?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The Internet is a powerful mass media influence. Computer and Internet use is spreading more rapidly than any previous technology, and 84 percent of U.S. homes with children have Internet access. This is bound to have both positive and negative effects on sexual health. A number of sites, such as that for the American Social Health Association, provide excellent information about sexuality and promote sexual health. At the same time, a repeated, well-sampled study of youth between the ages of 10 and 17 indicated that, whereas in 2000, 19 percent had been sexually solicited on the Internet, by 2010 the number had actually fallen to 9 percent. Most youth who received a solicitation responded by removing themselves from the situation (blocking the solicitor, leaving the site) or by telling the solicitor to stop. Experts believe that there is greater online safety for youth today than in the past, for a number of reasons. One is that they receive more talks about online safety from teachers and police.