Online sexual activity involving webcams—An overview of existing literature and implications for sexual boundary violations of children and adolescents
Abstract
Despite the relevance of the Internet and its increasing use for sexual purposes, research into online sexual activity (OSA) involving webcams is limited. Aside from positive experiences, OSA may implicate violations of sexual boundaries, reaching from minor issues to serious forms of sexual abuse. To provide a basis for a classification of sexual boundary violations online and a conceptualization of preventive measures, a systematic review of the literature on OSA involving webcams was conducted, resulting in publications from four thematic categories: webcam use in common OSA, psychopathological phenomena, sex work, and crime and indecency (commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking, and sexual boundary violations). The discussion addresses the implications of different types of sexual boundary violation of children and adolescents on the Internet. The study's Internet findings could promote prevention and law enforcement strategies tailored to these types of offense as well as different target groups.