The old, old joke and description for the Internet has always been that it serves to unite all the lovers of sex and it's multiple facets across the world. (I suspect that for those interested in bondage the Internet would be described as "being there to serve to untie"!)

Whatever your interest or particular sexlife choices may be - there is an avenue of exploration awaiting you on the World Wide Web.

Undoubtedly there is an 'In your face' unwanted and intrusive side of online sex. The deluge of Spam emails advertising practices and pictures or videos of things you'd never ever dreamed of gives stark testimony to that.

But there is also a wide open marketplace where you can concentrate your interests with like minded people and never bother anyone with different opinions or conflicting desires ever again.

One of these has to be Live Sex.

Otherwise known as Live Cam Chat or Adult Cams, this is a section of the industry and a lifestyle choice that is growing very quickly, year after year.

Up until a couple of years ago the websites offering such services could be counted on one and a half hands.

Nowadays you'd need to borrow your friend's hands and probably their feet as well, in order to count high enough. Great news for those who love voyeurism or exhibitionism.

And this is where the strength of this interest really takes off on the Internet.

Live Sex Cams allows you to play either one side of the role or even both at the same time. Not many other interests can boast such universal coverage, supply and choice as this.

Now I lean towards voyeurism - but of a unique nature. I, like most men I suspect, take great pleasure and enjoyment from watching a woman undressing and playing with herself. If I can be involved in that process by thought and interaction of talking to her as it happens then all the better. But I also enjoy the feelings involved when having to gently coax and flirt the clothes off my mate. Flirting is a lost art and a skill not many can master. (It should really be an Olympic Sport!)

Is it better than the real life hand on skin contact you get? To me - no, nowhere near. For others I'm positive it will be better for some, boring for some and not really one thing or another for others.

But as an addition to a healthy and enjoyable sex life, interacting with someone over a webcam in Live Sex Cams is a great thrill and makes my day go along with a bang - if you'll pardon the pun!

The diversity of different companies offering a webcam service ensures that you have a number of different systems to choose from and a huge - almost inexhaustible - supply of like minded women to play with.

Now although something like this will undoubtedly be charged for on a per minute basis the costs are still hugely under what you'd spend to enjoy the same level of interaction in real life!

And more importantly, it's on tap whenever you want it - 24/7, 365 days a year.

It is a service that I'm sure can only continue to grow. In a strange way - and I'm sure a line of thinking that some may well find different to their own - it also provides a service that has much in it's favor.

In the high speed, pressured and constantly paced world we live in today, saving time is a priority for many people. Whilst a cam to cam relationship has many aspects of a full blown real life relationship missing, it can still provide a much needed boost to the mental system. It can also help to remove one of man's biggest problems - the need to indulge in some form of sexual activity at least once a day - if nothing more than to relieve "pent up pressure".

Many see Live Sex Cams sessions as something only just removed from the grubby stranger wearing a dirty mac flashing at anyone unlucky enough to venture too close.

Shame really - because I believe that it provides a necessary and welcome service that many adults not only enjoy but that they benefit from.

So long as the provider is doing so voluntarily - then what's the problem?

Duncan Roberts is a bemused roaming traveller through the adult world of sex. You can pick up more of his articles and thoughts at Niche Sex