Use of the internet to facilitate sexual gratification is a rising phenomena.   For many users, the internet can cultivate the development of addictive sexual tendencies and behaviors often resulting in personal and social difficulties for the user.  It is thought by many researchers in the area that there are specific features of the internet which can make addictive behaviors develop more readily and/or more quickly than they would otherwise (Widyanto & Griffiths, 2007). 

There are a variety of uses of the internet for sexual purposes that can potentially become addictive.  Mark Griffiths lists these potentially addictive uses in his article, “Sex on the Internet: Observations and Implications for Internet Sex Addiction.”  These include use of the internet to find sexual partners for short or long term virtual or face to face interactions, use of the internet to facilitate the sexual victimization of others (sexual harassment, cyber-stalking, sexual victimization of children), and use of the internet for masturbatory purposes.  Sexual relations/interactions on the internet can be accomplished through various means such as email, instant messaging, web camera sessions, virtual chat rooms, etc.  These means can also be used for perpetrating sexually related internet crimes (Widyanto & Griffiths, 2007). 

Some internet sex users confine their online sexual behavior to solitary activities like the viewing of pornography or masturbation, while others are more inclined to engage in online sexual interactions or exchanges.  Some internet sexual activities are solitary, while others are more social.  In other words, there is a significant difference between using online pornography compulsively and seeking out online sexual interactions compulsively.  The type of online sexual activities a user prefers or engages in most frequently might reveal something important about the user’s psychological circumstances, and consequently what their motivation behind engaging in the problematic behavior might be (Griffiths, 2001). 

Some users may be more addicted to specific sexual behaviors themselves, and are simply using the internet to facilitate these behaviors.  These individuals may be using the internet for sex due to the ease with which they can find partners to arrange for face to face meetings, the ease with which they can obtain and utilize pornography, etc.  In cases like this, according to Mark Girffiths, the user cannot be considered addicted to the internet itself, as their addictive behaviors would likely still exist in the absence of it, with the internet simply making their addictive behaviors easier to engage in, and perhaps more likely to become addictive (Widyanto & Griffiths, 2007).

On the other hand, those who use the internet as their primary source for sexual gratification might be considered addicted to features of the internet itself.  These users engage in sexual activities and behaviors online that they could not otherwise engage in.  This could mean that the user’s sexual desires are inappropriate or deviant, and the user might feel that they are more easily or safely expressed online.  In these cases, the individual could become addicted to the anonymous and immersive qualities offered by the internet in carrying out those sexual desires, and therefore might be considered addicted to the internet itself.  Another circumstance where an individual might be addicted to the internet itself involves the excessive use of online chat rooms for taking on fantasy roles or identities.  Here too, individuals may develop addictive sexual behaviors that are directly related to alternate realities that the internet offers (Griffiths, 2001).

Some individuals use the internet as a supplement to existing sexual behaviors while others use it as their primary source for sexual gratification (Girffiths, 2001).  Those users who turn to the internet for the majority of their sexual needs might be more at risk for developing addictive behaviors, as their sexual behaviors, for whatever reason may not be easily translated to face to face settings.  This can lead the user to experience feelings of isolation and consequently, can increase the likelihood of becoming addicted to sexual internet use (Morgan & Cotton, 2003). 

Excessive online sexual behavior occurs for many known and unknown reasons.  As with most addictions, research has found that certain psychological factors might predispose individuals to the likely development of addictive behaviors.  As far as researchers can tell, the internet provides the user with an extreme sense of freedom which can be particularly appealing to those who use it for sexual purposes.  For a user of online pornography, availability, affordability and the ease with which one can employ sexual material are very compelling, and may contribute to its addictiveness.  For those who seek out sexual interactions online, similar features such as availability and ease can contribute to the behaviors‘ addictiveness, but so too can the user’s perceived control, increased trust of sexual partners, reduced inhibition and sense of anonymity.  All of these factors have been found to facilitate the development of addictive behaviors (Griffiths, 2001).  These factors seem to be unique to internet use, which is why excessive use of a sexual nature is seen so commonly in the virtual world.