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Playboy survey reveals Internet's impact on sex

While the mechanics of sex are a constant, the ways that people can enjoy and enhance it have definitely changed with the times, thanks to technology and the Internet.Playboy polled 2300 men and women (split almost evenly), the most extensive survey done by Hef's staff since 1983. Though the full survey won't be out until the June issue, love-and-sex advice blog YourTango shared some highlights
By Athima Chansanchai

While the mechanics of sex are a constant, the ways that people can enjoy and enhance it have definitely changed with the times, thanks to technology and the Internet.

Playboy polled 2300 men and women (split almost evenly), the most extensive survey done by Hef's staff since 1983. Though the full survey won't be out until the June issue, love-and-sex advice blog YourTango shared some highlights:

  • More people are watching porn, perhaps because access it is now as easy as an Internet connection: 78 percent now, compared to 40 percent in 1983.
  • We don't know how Playboy or YourTango defines "frisky sex," but apparently, it's public sex and 76 percent of those polled admitted to doing the deed somewhere other than behind bedroom doors, while only 35 percent admitted to the same in 1983. YourTango said, "Playboy credits this new fad to the popularity of security cam and gonzo pornography. And what about the fact that 70 percent of women have been photographed nude, and almost half while having sex? Playboy says that's all thanks to digital cameras."
  • Online dating sites are here to stay, with 33 percent of men and 23 percent of women engaged in hot pursuit — even if they're already in supposedly monogamous relationships. Which leads to another stat: "41 percent of men and 47 percent of women have suspected a partner of cheating."
  • Here's another stat that may fuel the argument that sites like Facebook and Classmates.com are doing more harm than good: 46 percent of men and 37 percent of women admitted to having sex with an ex. 
  • Whether you wax, sugar or shave, looks like hair removal is more popular now than 28 years ago, when it wasn't even a question on the poll. Now more than half of men and women admit to keeping well trimmed those parts where the sun don't shine. Is this somehow related to how prevalent bare skin is online?
  • Some reassurance for parents, perhaps: Despite all the sex surrounding us, 40 percent of adults ages 18 to 24 have not yet had sex.

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