Recent research has explored the existence and extent of pathological Internet use (Brenner, 1997; Cooper, 1998a, Cooper, Putnam, Planchon, & Boies, 1999; Cooper, Scherer, BOies, & Gordon, 1999; Griffiths, 1996, 1997; Morahan-Martin, 1997; Scherer, 1997; Young, 1997a, 1997b, 1998a, 1998b) and its significant impact on social, academic, and occupational roles. More important, this research (Griffiths, 1997; Young, 1998a, 1998b, 1999a) and prior research on computer addiction (Shotton, 1991) has observed that computer and/or Internet-dependent users gradually spent less time with real people in their lives in exchange for solitary time in front of a computer and online relationships. Young (1998a) found that serious relationship problems were reported by 53% of the 396 case studies of Internet addicts interviewed, with marriages and intimate dating relationships most disrupted due to cyberaffairs and online sexual compulsivity. In their study Cooper, Scherer et al.(1999) found that over 8% manifested signs of sexual compulsivity, 32% acknowledged that their online sexual pursuits had interfered with one important dimension of their lives, and 22% that their online sexual pursuits had actually jeopardized at least one of these important dimensions. A cyberaffair is defined as a romantic and/or sexual relationship that is initiated via online contact and maintained predominantly through electronic conversations that occur through e-mail and in virtual communities such as chat rooms, interactive games, or newsgroups (Young, 1999a). Virtual or online communities allow strangers from all over the world to meet instantly 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

There are a number of factors that make online contacts dynamically different and potentially seductive. First, given the global nature of the Internet, online relationships can be culturally diverse and consequently can seem more glamorous than the people one already knows in day-to-day living (Young, 1997a). Second, electronic communication apparently allows at least some individuals to subjectively feel less inhibited. Consequently, in the expression of their emotions, people are more likely to be open, honest, and forthright in revealing personal truths. As a result, the appearance of intimacy that might take months or years in an offline relationship may only take days or weeks online. This perceived sense of trust, intimacy, and acceptance has the potential to encourage online users to use these relationships as a primary source of companionship and comfort (Cooper & Sportolari, 1997; Young, 1997a).