Getting Wild With Your Webcam: A User’s Guide To Webcam Sex

Once the domain of hardcore internerds, webcams are now a commonplace feature on many computers. And though these nifty little lenses are generally touted as being great for video conferencing or talking to Grandma, they've also got a sexier side.

Yes, we're talking about webcam sex.

Though not as commonly referenced as cousins phone sex and sexting, webcam sex can be a wonderful way to improve your (sex) life through technology. Then again, it can also be as awkward as the time you accidentally Skyped your parents while stoned. So how to up the hotness while avoiding the cringeworthy moments? We thought you'd never ask.

Know your angles. You're having webcam sex, you want to look sexy. It's worth your time to pull out the webcam beforehand and try to figure out what moves and positions work best for you. And while you're at it, don't worry too much about getting your whole body into frame—chances are you'll end up way too far away from the camera, or contorting your body into some uncomfortable position. Trust us: a little bit of sexy is way more appealing than full body awkward.

[Note to the old school webcammers: Let's take a minute to pour some of our respective forties out on the ground in remembrance of webcams that weren't built-in to the computer monitor. They were so much better for working the angles, amiright?]

Know your tech. Nothing kills a boner faster than tech problems—so troubleshoot before you get things going. Make sure everything's right with your webcam, and learn the ins and outs of your chat program (maybe with one of those calls to Grandma?) before you get things going. Trust us, you'll be glad you did.

And when you've got things up and running, make sure you close all your other programs. Webcamming software tends to take up a lot of resources—so don't use up precious space running TweetDeck (trust us, your tweets can wait). Also! Be sure you've got your webcam settings set to the highest resolution—no one looks sexy when they're grainy and pixellated.

Figuring out your rhythm. As with IRL sex, this can take some time—so don't be discouraged if your first few trips around the webcam are more about exploring your options than having mind blowing orgasms. Try out a few things, and see what gets you the hottest. Maybe you're most comfortable as the exhibitionist, putting on a show for your partner as he or she watches in appreciation. Maybe you both enjoy masturbating for each other, each getting off on the other's onanism. Or maybe your fancy is tickled by something else entirely! Give yourself the room to figure it out, and those mindblowing orgasms won't be too far away.

Be sure to show and tell. While many forms of tech sex rely on detailed, written out descriptions, webcam sex allows you to include visuals. Not sure what to say to your partner? Stop worrying and use the camera to show off your body (and, of course, what you'd like them to do to it). Of course, a little dirty talk can go a long, long way, so don't be shy about speaking up (or typing, depending on how good your connection is).

Protect yourself. We say this a lot—but honestly, we can't say it enough. If you're broadcasting your image to someone else's computer, that person can easily screencap (or vidcap!) and save it—or, if they're in the mood, distribute it all across the internet. If you don't want the whole world seeing your sexy face (or your sexy body), don't engage in webcam sex with someone you don't trust.

· Thumbnail star: Fleshbot Supreme Commandress Stoya (twitter.com)