The influence of technology on human sexuality

The technological transformations of recent years have modified our intimate life.

Technological progress has generated important changes over time, which are apparently imperceptible. However, when making a comparison between different periods, the transformations that human beings have undergone in the way they relate, communicate, behave, etc. are evident.

Likewise, it is notorious the adherence that has been produced towards technological devices, Internet, social networks and applications that become a primordial part in the life of each individual. "The acceleration of time itself offers individuals new spaces and, possibly, new forms of social dynamics" (Pérez, 2010).

Sexuality, being one of the most important facets of life, has become one of the most important aspects of life. of most people, has also been influenced by this technological transformation. This is what we will focus on next.

How technological changes have transformed sexuality.

The common use of the Internet and the possession of cell phones, along with the combination of both with smartphones, is occurring at an unexpected speed. In this way, people are able to communicate and distribute information immediately, causing the intercommunication of people and a new model of social relationships (Agustina, 2010; Ryan, 2010).

In addition, it is important to consider the consequences that technological progress can generate in the long term, taking into account that it is becoming faster and more unpredictable, as well as permeating different areas of life (Agustina, 2010; Ryan, 2010). permeates different areas of life, including sexuality.

The following are recent changes in our way of relating and living, based on the relationship between new technologies and sexuality.

1. The Internet

Currently, the main source of information of all kinds is the Internet, an abbreviation of the English words Interconnected Networks, which means "interconnected networks" and refers to the union of all networks and computers distributed around the world (Arranz, Eskoriatza, 2007).

It is common for young people and adults to use this medium to obtain information about any doubts or concerns they may have regarding sexuality.. However, in doing so, they may encounter different types of information, which may be reliable sources that contain congruent data or sites where the information is not accurate and causes greater confusion in browsers.

2. Adult content on the Web

Pornography, by having free access to its content, can be viewed by people of all ages, and thus, affect their sexual identity, self-image and interpersonal relationships. relationships.

According to Klaus Beier, Professor of Sexology at the Charité University Clinic in Berlin, 30 % of children between 8 and 13 years of age have already seen pornographic content, generating ideals that are difficult to achieve in real life, such as unrealistic sexual encounters and exaggerated expectations of the partner.This also creates a preconceived idea of how they should act.

It is clear that the Internet has influenced the sexuality of the new generations, with some people being able to distinguish between fiction and reality, using it as another source of eroticism without suffering any harm, however, this does not happen in all cases.

3. Grooming

Another technological practice that has had a strong impact on sexuality, mainly in minors, is Grooming, defined as the way in which some people approach children and young people to gain their trust, create emotional ties and be able to abuse them sexually (Villacampa, Gómez, 2016).

Often, the groomer (person who seeks to harm the minor) uses technological means such as social networks to initiate the bondingoffering understanding and advice while at the same time obtaining information or images of the minor in sexual or pornographic situations.

Obtaining such images is essential to control and scare the child, aiming in the future, to establish physical sexual contact with the minor or introduce him/her in environments of sexual exploitation and prostitution.

4. Sexting

However, technology, by enabling new and diverse social practices, added to people's search for expressing their sexual desire, gives rise to sexting, a term that refers to the act of sending texts, photographs and videos with a certain sexual content. the act of sending texts, photographs and videos with a certain level of sexual content, taken or recorded by the protagonist.taken or recorded by the protagonist of the same, through the cell phone.

Alluding to D.H. Lawrence's phrase "Keep silent when you have nothing to say, when genuine passion moves you, say what you have to say, and say it hot", sexting can be useful in adult sexual life, since it expresses a game of seduction between two individuals, who at the moment of sending and receiving erotic images, texts or videos stimulate their imagination increasing sexual desire.

This practice can be considered by some people as a sexual relationship transferred to the screen of a mobile device. transferred to the screen of the mobile device. On the other hand, according to a research conducted at the University of Michigan, United States, Sexting is becoming a common part of courtship.

However, there are different risks when carrying out this practice, since sexually themed material can end up in unwanted hands and be spread very easily and widely, so that the initial sender loses total control over the dissemination of such content.

Bonding through mobile apps

As for the way of initiating relationships, technology has a strong impact through different mobile applications, through which the romantic love of past centuries has been left there, in the past. Currently, a large number of people meet virtually, love at first sight arises from a photo, a first conversation is had within a chat on social networks and establishes links through a screen.

An example of such mobile applications is Tindera geo-social application (specifies the geographic distance between one individual and another), through which, according to compatibilities about personality, interests, age and friends in common, men and women are shown different photos that are observed by users and based on this they approve or disapprove of the other. Once two people approve of each other the application puts them in contact so that they can talk and arrange dates or meetings (Bonavitta, 2015).

According to Espinoza Rojas (2015), Tinder and other similar applications or platforms, seek to fill the void produced by the loneliness of a society connected to digital networks.but not in human networks, in a society that has worn out collectivity and superimposes individuality and distance from others.

Haptic technology

In addition to mobile applications, there are also devices based on haptic (touch) technology, i.e., that which allows physical contact between human-machine or human being with another human being, in which a device mediates the relationship, with the purpose of producing real sensations. relationship, the purpose of which is to produce real sensations while two people meet at a distance (Bonavitta, 2015).

An example of devices based on haptic technology is Lovepalz, intended for technologically mediated sexual intercourse. Such an instrument consists of two devices, for the man it takes the name of Zeus and for the woman, Hera. Both are designed according to the physiology of each sex. Zeus, in the form of a phallic-shaped vibrator and Hera in the form of a masturbator, imitating the vaginal cavity.

People can feel the sexual movement of their partners simulating intercourse by transmitting in real time what a person is doing at a muscular level with their sexual organs. LovePalz is mediated with an iPhone application which will connect via Wi-Fi what is happening on one device and transmit it to the other, completing a complete platform for virtual sex.

More technology does not imply better intimate relationships

By way of conclusion, this type of applications and technological devices make it possible to communicate with others without having to resort to face-to-face relationships, reducing social skills and tools to generate a lasting affective bond. The fact that the number of means of communication has increased does not mean that communication, contact and interaction between people has improved.

The ways in which people establish bonds have changed over time. The way in which sexuality is experienced as well as the stories and their contents have also changed, generating conflicts such as mistrust in couples because of a "like". because of a "like" on social networks, perhaps as the subject of a never-ending discussion listening to the "I leave me on sight", or distancing in the couple because of the preference for satisfying their sexual needs only through digital media such as pornography or virtual realities.

Bibliographical references:

• Angustina, J.R. (2010). juvenile offenders or victims of child pornography? Electronic Journal of Criminal Science and Criminology. Retrieved September 5, 2017 from: http://criminet.ugr.es/recpc/12/recpc12-11.pdf
• Arranz, J. & Eskoriatz, C.S. (2007). Internet, Pediatrics and the Web. Jornadas de Pediatría de Álava. Retrieved September 5, 2017 from: http://www.avpap.org/documentos/jornadas2007/internet.pdf
• Bonavitta, P. (2015). Love in the Times of Tinder. Culture and Social Representations. Retrieved September 6, 2017 from: http://www.scielo.org.mx/pdf/crs/v10n19/v10n19a9.pdf
• Espinoza, J. (2015) Reconfiguring love: Technological mediation and affective relationships. Question Académica Journal. Vol. 1, No. 45 (January-March 2015).
• Pérez, G. (2010). Cybersocialization and adolescence: a new binomial for reflection in social education. Journal of Social Education. Retrieved September 7, 2017 from: http://www.eduso.net/res/?b=14&c=129&n=367
• Villacampa, C. & Gómez, M.J. (2016). New Technologies and Sexual Victimization of Minors by Online Grooming. Electronic Journal of Criminal Science and Criminology. Retrieved September 6, 2017 from: http://criminet.ugr.es/recpc/18/recpc18-02.pdf