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Sex

Technology turning the French on to virtual sex

Ben McPartland
Ben McPartland - [email protected]
Technology turning the French on to virtual sex
Photo: Fredo Alvarez

Sixteen percent of young French people admit to having had virtual sex, and one in ten say they have made a sex tape. These are just two of the more eyebrow-raising results of a survey into how technology is changing the erotic habits of the French.

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Whether it’s smartphones, computers or webcams, new technology seems to be having a profound affect on the sexual behaviour of French people, especially the younger generation, according to a new survey entitled "Sex 2.0", released on Wednesday.

In one of the more stand-out figures from the Ifop poll, one in ten young French people under the age of 25 admit to having made a sex tape with their partner and 40 percent say  they are tempted by the idea.

Another result of the survey suggests French people are making the most of their computers and laptops with 16 percent of young people saying they have enjoyed virtual sex with others via webcams, compared to just 9 percent four years ago.

However, when it comes to the population as a whole, only 8 percent have had virtual sex, suggesting young people are more at one with technology than older generations.

Explaining the lure of the webcam, a spokesman for Ifop said: "The virtual space offered by the Internet is an ideal place to satisfy the fantasies that we cannot observe or see in reality."

Explaining the rise in virtual sex, François Kraus, director of studies at the polling agency said: “Sexual fantasies of a voyeuristic or exhibitionist nature are shared by many French, but are rarely achieved in reality.”

“New technologies are allowing us to observe or engage in exhibitionist or voyeuristic acts more easily,” he said.

The fact the internet can offer anonymity and a wider range of partners than you are likely to find in a bar, means the number of French enjoying a virtual sex life will only increase in future, the authors of the study told TF1 TV.

Mobile phones also seem to have encouraged the young French to release their inhibitions, with between 25 and 35 percent having dabbled with “sexting,” where intimate photos or videos are exchanged via mobile phone.

Another interesting statistic thrown up by the study reveals around one third of French people (31 percent) admit to being excited by the thought of watching other people make love. However, only a tenth of that number (3 percent), admit to having done it.

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