Objective
To determine whether youths with chronic conditions differ from healthy peers in their online sexual behavior.
Methods
Youths with limiting or non-limiting chronic conditions were compared to healthy controls about their online sexual practices separately by gender.
Results
Only females with limiting conditions had significantly greater online sexual activity than healthy ones, especially for activities involving or aiming to involve a partner. Females with non-limiting conditions and all chronically ill males reported behaviors similar to those of healthy youths.
Conclusion
The anonymity offered by Internet may allow females with a limiting condition to be more confident to meet new people online.