Despite the increased prevalence of digitalized forms of sexual interaction (e.g., Internet porn, sexting, and robotic sex dolls), there is a lack of research in this area. Existing research focuses predominantly on the potential risks associated with digitalized forms of sexual interaction. However, it is important to explore how technology use will increase opportunities and minimize risks for sexual health. Subsequently, there is a need for holistic research to comprehensively address the bio-psycho-social-technological factors of sexual interaction in digital contexts.
This Research Topic aims to provide a platform for the objective, systematic and holistic research on sexualized human-media interaction. Specifically, the goal is to provide an empirical and theoretical overview of sexual interaction in digital content with both humans and artificial partners, its potential positive and detrimental uses, and to explore this research from multiple perspectives. This will be the first time that such a platform has been made available for this type of research.
We are inviting original research on these topics but also welcome literature reviews, meta-analyses as well as theoretical contributions. We also welcome contributions from a wide range of disciplines, i.e. psychology, communication science, medicine, and computer science to discuss the following themes:
• Research on interpersonal sexual interactions in face-to-face contexts that have been started digitally, for example via a dating app or accompanied by digital technology such as filming or watching Internet porn.
• Research on interpersonal sexual interactions in computer-mediated contexts, for example via text, video chat, or technology-mediated sexual interaction (TMSI).
• Research on sexual interaction exclusively with a machine, for example, sexual interactions with Internet-porn, sex robots, or with virtual reality.
Despite the increased prevalence of digitalized forms of sexual interaction (e.g., Internet porn, sexting, and robotic sex dolls), there is a lack of research in this area. Existing research focuses predominantly on the potential risks associated with digitalized forms of sexual interaction. However, it is important to explore how technology use will increase opportunities and minimize risks for sexual health. Subsequently, there is a need for holistic research to comprehensively address the bio-psycho-social-technological factors of sexual interaction in digital contexts.
This Research Topic aims to provide a platform for the objective, systematic and holistic research on sexualized human-media interaction. Specifically, the goal is to provide an empirical and theoretical overview of sexual interaction in digital content with both humans and artificial partners, its potential positive and detrimental uses, and to explore this research from multiple perspectives. This will be the first time that such a platform has been made available for this type of research.
We are inviting original research on these topics but also welcome literature reviews, meta-analyses as well as theoretical contributions. We also welcome contributions from a wide range of disciplines, i.e. psychology, communication science, medicine, and computer science to discuss the following themes:
• Research on interpersonal sexual interactions in face-to-face contexts that have been started digitally, for example via a dating app or accompanied by digital technology such as filming or watching Internet porn.
• Research on interpersonal sexual interactions in computer-mediated contexts, for example via text, video chat, or technology-mediated sexual interaction (TMSI).
• Research on sexual interaction exclusively with a machine, for example, sexual interactions with Internet-porn, sex robots, or with virtual reality.