Sexuality in the Internet Era: Expressions of Hispanic Adolescent and Young People

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cybersex is an important manifestation of sexuality among adolescents and young people. However, there is not enough information about this sexual expression, in particular, in cultures such as Latino culture, which has a traditional perception of human sexuality. This study evaluates online sexual activity among Hispanic adolescent and young people. For this purpose, 2,227 participants from Mexico and Spain (between 15 and 25 years old) completed the Internet Sex Screening Test. Our findings reveal that the most common use of cybersex is recreational, although men and women show risk for cybersex abuse. This is associated with pornography consumption, anal sex, sexual orientation, and gender for adolescent and young people. The more conservative and gendered tradition seems to modulate some aspects of cybersex in both groups, who have revealed some differences in their behaviors. Therefore, cybersex is also an expression of sexuality among Hispanic adolescent and young people and should be considered in sexual health promotion programs and policies.