Growing numbers of married people are turning to internet chat rooms for sexual thrills, a US study has found.
Most spouses who got involved with the opposite sex over the internet did not think they were doing anything wrong, said the report by a University of Florida researcher. But partners felt betrayed by the virtual infidelity, even though in most cases no physical contact had taken place.
"The internet will soon become the most common form of infidelity, if it isn"t already," said Beatriz Mileham, from the University of Florida, who carried out the new study.
"Never before has the dating world been so handy for married men and women looking for a fling.
"With cyber sex, there is no longer any need for secret trips to obscure motels. An online liaison may even take place in the same room with one"s spouse."