The experience of using the internet to meet sexual partners may have its positive sides, as well as its pitfalls. Using a sample of men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited online, we investigated how they assessed their experience of using the internet for sex. Thirty Portuguese MSM (age: m=34; sd=8.5) most of which had an university level education were interviewed face-to-face about their use of the internet to meet sexual partners and asked what they considered to be the positive as well as the negative aspects of their experience. Interviews were audio recorded with the participants’ agreement and later transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed using content analysis software. Results show that participants generally consider existing both positive and negative aspects in their internet experience. On the positive side, many mention that the internet provided them the possibility to meet people and to have experiences they otherwise would not have; on the negative side, many criticize the deception that they consider to often find online from other users. Other positive as well as negative aspects of their experience are discussed.
Conflict of Interest: None disclosed
Financial Support/Funding: Fundacao Para A Ciencia E Tecnologia, Portugal
Sydney, Australia, April 2007
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