Adolescents' online sexual activities

Abstract

Introduction: Online sexual activities are common among adolescents served by Clinic 6-6 in the Municipality of Encrucijada and are associated with inappropriate sexual behaviors; however, their specific characteristics remain unknown.
Objective: To describe the characteristics of online sexual activities engaged in by these adolescents during 2024.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The population consisted of 154 adolescents, from which 127 were selected to participate using non-probabilistic purposive sampling. The level of cybersex engagement was assessed using the Internet Sex Screening Test; additionally, sociodemographic variables and those related to online sexual activity patterns were defined. Statistical analysis employed absolute frequencies, percentages, and the chi-square test of independence.
Results: Among adolescents in the late adolescence stage, 45.5% were addicted to cybersex, as were 75.0% of those with a casual partner. Regarding practices, 46.5% engaged in activities with another person, 38.6% did so at home, 52.0% used a mobile phone, and 46.5% used a virtual identity; 30.7% spent less than three hours daily on these activities, and 39.4% engaged in them a few days a week. Telegram was the preferred platform for 87.4% of participants, and chatting was the primary motivation (96.8%).
Conclusions: Risky cybersex consumption and addiction were common among the adolescents and were associated with older age and having a casual partner. In general, they engaged in these activities in the company of another person, at home, via mobile phone, using a virtual identity, for less than three hours a day, and a few days a week. They preferred Telegram, and chatting was the primary motivation.