RESEARCH ARTICLE


Sex, Digital Devices, Social Media, and Social Isolation: A Study on Sexual Behavioral During COVID -19 Pandemic



Isabela A. Melca1, *, Antonio E. Nardi2, Lucio L. Gonçalves2, Rachel M. Ferreira3, Mariana S. K. Lins de Padua1, Anna L. S. King2
1 Delete Lab-Digital Detox and Conscious Use of Technologies, Institute of Psychiatry (IPUB), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2 Psychiatry, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
3 National School of Public Health, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil


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Creative Commons License
© 2021 Melca et al.

open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

* Address correspondence to this author at Delete Lab-Digital Detox and Conscious Use of Technologies, Institute of Psychiatry (IPUB), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Tel: +21999255374; E-mail: melcaisabela@gmail.com


Abstract

Introduction:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused social and economic damages. People have adapted to a new reality of physical distance.

Objective:

The study aimed to assess the use of digital devices and social media, focusing on psychosocial and demographic factors of people´s sexual behavior during the pandemic.

Methods:

A total of 1,357 Brazilian adults participated in a cross-sectional online survey. They were recruited through social media to obtain information regarding sexual behavior and the use of digital devices and social media.

Results:

Digital devices and social media were used by 38.8% of the participants. Among the group that used technological devices, most claimed to have changed their sexual behavior, with 76.9% consuming more sexual content through movies or series.

Conclusion:

In a smaller group, technological resources appeared as an alternative for safer sex, reducing the risks of COVID-19 transmission.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, Sexual behavior, Digital devices, Social media, Internet, Pornography.