Violence

Open Access: No.

Abstract

Purpose of Review
Reports of sexual violence, especially towards women and children, are rapidly increasing. At the same time, rates of problematic pornography use (PPU) are accelerating across the world too. The purpose of this review is to consider the recent research on PPU and its contribution to sexual violence. The article offers guidance to governments on possible health policy interventions and legal actions to prevent the development of PPU and to reduce the incidence of sexual violence in society.

Recent Findings
Working from the consumer’s point of view, we identify PPU and ask how much pornography is needed to cause PPU. We examine how PPU drives sexual offending in children, adolescents and adults. The impact of PPU on some consumers’ behaviour suggests significant links to domestic violence. Sexual strangulation is highlighted as an example. Artificial intelligence algorithms play a key role in the pornography industry and appear to be driving escalation to more violent material, inducing high levels of sexual dysfunction in consumers and creating appetites for viewing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Summary
Easy access to internet pornography has led to an increase in PPU and sexual violence. Diagnoses and treatments for PPU are examined, as are legal transgressions of a civil and criminal nature arising from PPU. Legal remedies and government policy implications are discussed from the point of view of the precautionary principle. Strategies covered include age verification for pornography, public health campaigns and embedded health and legal warnings for users at the start of pornography sessions along with lessons for pupils about pornography’s impact on the brain.

Relevance

“The commercial pornography companies are using the same techniques as the rest of the internet industry to make their applications “sticky”.  Pornography sites are specifically designed to keep people watching, clicking and scrolling.”

“Unfettered access to online pornography is influencing the minds of children and young people and preparing them for adulthood with sexual  tastes shaped by the most violent, coercive and risky forms of sexual activity.”

“It is clear from the extensive research that there is a link between domestic abuse, general violence against women and pornography use.”

“To the best of the authors’ knowledge, pornography has never been tested  scientifically to prove that it is a safe product or that pornography consumption is a risk-free activity across an entire population.”

“Health warnings within pornography websites are potentially powerful tools for reducing the harm from pornography use. The concept is to provide the consumer with a nudge to remind them of potential risks associated with pornography through a message at the beginning of every commercial pornography viewing session. Product warnings have been used with tobacco products over an extended period and have proven to contribute in a positive way to reducing cigarette consumption.”

Citation

Sharpe, M., & Mead, D. (2021). Problematic Pornography Use: Legal and Health Policy Considerations. Current addiction reports, 8(4), 556–567. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-021-00390-8