Webcam sex has become a popular way for many people to get their fix of sexual gratification. They see it as a harmless release of tension that hurts no one. Logging on line in their private time and watching others perform either at their instruction or as a standard performance, satisfies the needs of some people.

But why would anyone want to perform webcam sex and what is to be gained from it? There is the obvious money making side to it. A relatively good income can be obtained from getting your bits out and showing them to the paying public. But where does decency stand in all this? Quite simply, it doesn't.

There are many people that decry the use of webcam sex as perverted and immoral and this is a dilemma that will go on just as long as the prostitute debate has wrangled through society. Not to compare people that perform webcam sex (and we're talking men and women here) to prostitutes but it all comes under the umbrella of the sex industry. So, webcam sex has its opponents, fact.

Some people have felt compelled to try their hand at webcam sex (so to speak) as a quick fix way to get themselves out of financial difficulties. This is why you will see quite a few young students doing it. Some people do it from boredom - bring on the stay at home mothers, housewives and middle aged jobless women.

And some people simply get a kick out of it. Knowing that they can get their jollies from performing webcam sex and that someone will be paying for the privilege gives them an ego boost that far outweighs the darker thoughts of what sort of people are watching and getting off on it.

And for these people, it can become an addiction. In their need to feel wanted, their self esteem rides on how many visitors they have had. Lots of viewings leads to a good day, making them feeling attractive and so the opposite is true also. Few visitors and they feel like they're having a 'fat' day. This can be a dangerous obsession for people with limited self esteem.

There's also the thought of the type of person that is watching. Presumably, those performing the webcam sex shut these thoughts out. It's one thing to perform private sex shows for your lover and for those girls who get used to the webcam business, the thought of some fit, young man who is mentally well-adjusted and simply in need of a little light relief from a gorgeous girl isn't so bad.

But do they ever consider the greasy, fat older man who is challenged in the personality and sanity department? Sitting alone in his bedsit getting off on watching them perform one of the most private acts possible, seems to me slightly repulsive and I like to consider myself quite broad minded!

Some people fall into this profession by accident and some people like to do it for free! Often getting involved with friends, partners or groups, these are the people that do it just for fun. 'Fun' has taken on a whole new meaning in this age of technology. Once it meant hanging out in the local coffee bar or cinema and now, to some, it means getting your kit off and showing the world what once only your gynaecologist would have been privy to.

Whichever side of the fence you stand on this issue, there will always be a market for the sex industry in one form or another and technology just takes it to a different level.