Digitization and the impact on sexuality

There has been some concern for some time that digitization could affect people's relationships and sexuality. The psychologist Heike Melzer 2019 examined this connection through her clinical observations from her couple and sex therapy. It can be seen that there is an increase in sexual dysfunction (especially among younger men), constraints, addictions, and sexual abnormalities.  

Digitalisation and often very early access to pornographic content among children and adolescents are creating new disorders for which there is not enough research yet. Meanwhile, there are many other forms of pornography: from virtual reality technologies, to 3D's self-made avatars, to dating portals that are available at all times.

According to Melzer, she could four trends observe:

1. Sexual dysfunction 

Strong stimuli of pornographic content often condition viewers. Because of this, they can not respond to reality as they normally would. The discount of the performance also leads to uncertainty regarding the appearance.

2. Quantitative changes in sexual behaviors

Especially in Japan, an increase in partnerships without touch was noted. Addictions and addictions increased, especially through dating apps such as Tinder, where five million people seek non-committal sex in Germany alone.

3. Qualitative changes of sexual preference

Society is changing, and so are people's preferences: Extreme preferences and a decreasing satisfaction in the partnership seem to increase through digitization. Violence against women is also supported indirectly by looking at pornographic content.

4. Changes of couple relationships

The relationships between couples are changing: divorce rates are rising and satisfaction in many partnerships is falling. Nevertheless, through dating apps, there are also some new options and freedoms: open relationships and sexual orientation are much more tolerated nowadays.

Can you do something about it? 

In any case. Although the psychologist's observations are disturbing for the first time, she also saw some positive aspects. The sexual dysfunction of often young men, for example, seemed to improve significantly after a pornographic abstinence. This means that the behavior that has been learned can also be unlearned. Luckily, the frequency of digital use is also its own decision - yet further research in this area will be of great importance in the future. Until then, every now and then: fingers on the phone!