Traversing TechSex: benefits and risks in digitally mediated sex and relationships

Abstract

Background. Digital technologies play a significant role in people's sexual and intimate lives via smart phones, cameras, dating apps and social media. Although there is a large body of research on the potential risks posed by these technologies, research on benefits and pleasures is limited. Methods. This study explored digital sexual practices, including perceptions of risks and benefits among a sample of Australian adults (n = 445). Data were collected in 2020 via an online survey. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were undertaken to identify significant relationships between demographic variables and the use of technologies in relation to perceived risks and benefits. The mean age of participants was 42 years, over half were women (58.5%) and identified as heterosexual (61.1%). Results. Findings reveal that use of digital media was common in participants' sex lives and relationships; 60.3% of participants had viewed pornography online, 34.9% had used dating apps, and 33.9% had sent sexual or naked self-images to another person. Over one in three reported positive outcomes from this: 38.2% felt emotionally connected to their partners due to online communication; 38.0% agreed that digital technologies facilitated closer connections; however, the majority of participants were aware of potential risks associated with online sexual engagement, particularly non-consensual exposure of their sexual or naked images, with women expressing greater concern. Conclusions. Policy, legal and educational responses should be based on holistic understanding of digital sexual engagement, acknowledging the ways in which technologies can support sexual relationships while also building people's knowledge and capacity to manage risks.

Information Extraction and Data Planning of Smart City Based on Internet of Things

“…China's urbanization process is accelerating, and a series of social problems such as urban environment pollution, lack of public resources, lack of public safety management, rapid urban population growth, and public traffic congestion have seriously affected the normal life of urban residents [14]. Many cities focus on building smart cities and establish smart city management systems and related platforms, smart city management systems have become the focus of relevant research under the needs of the social environment [15]. Cloud computing is a product of the highly developed network information technology, all available resources are shared in the form of "cloud", and users can apply to the "cloud" to provide required services and resources through the network [16].…”

The risks and benefits of technologised sexual practice scale: a quantitative measure of technology facilitated sex and intimacy

“…[14][15][16]42 Nevertheless, there is a growing body of research that explores how technology can enhance sexual pleasure and autonomy in a way that is sex-positive and technologypositive. 6,8,9,31 However, this research underscores the scarcity of quantitative studies in this space and emphasises the necessity for systematic, exploratory, and hypothesis-driven research to comprehend technology's role in sexual experiences and cultures.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] However, there is a burgeoning body of research dedicated to understanding the capacity of various technologies to build intimacy and enhance sexual experiences. [5][6][7][8][9] In this paper, we present a brief review of the existing literature exploring both the benefits and risks of technologised intimate practice and as well as a novel quantitative instrument for measuring adult's perceived benefits and risks of engaging with technology to facilitate sex and intimacy. We aim to contribute to the emerging body of research aiming to better understand the role of technology in contemporary sex lives, rather than reduce this to measuring negative outcomes, and present evidence for the utility of quantitatively studying the nuanced and complex outcomes of technologised sexual and intimate practice.…”