Nearly Half of All Net Regulars `Have Online Affairs' ; American Psychological Association Conference

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THE INTERNET is the most efficient means of obtaining sexual stimulation, arousal and gratification, a psychologist suggested yesterday.

The preoccupation with online sex among more than 17,000 internet users questioned in a study by Dr David Greenfield led him to conclude that many people were risking their real relationships in favour of indulging their fantasies at their computers.

Presenting his findings at the American Psychological Association's annual conference in Washington, Dr Greenfield said: "When it comes to sexual behaviour, the internet is a virtual petri dish of activity, including cyber-sex, cyber- affairs, chatrooms, e- mail, pornography and …