Sidestreets on the information superhighway: Paraphilias and sexual variations on the internet

The anonymous, instantaneous, far-reaching nature of the Internet opens up new possibilities for paraphiles and others with unusual sexual preferences. While the amount of sexual material available on the Internet has been exaggerated, a variety of pornographic and sexual images and text does exist online. We discuss different possible methods for accessing such material and interacting with others, describing the range of possibilities with newsgroups, chat rooms, BBSs, and other electronic media. Next, we detail several actual cases in which the Internet was used by paraphiles to disperse and obtain material, as well as to interact with others for paraphilic fulfillment. What is our role, as sex educators, therapists, and researchers, in handling these situations? Each must decide for him/herself, but we should be aware of the advancing technology available and perhaps use it for our own solutions.