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NZ Youth and Porn: Research Findings of a Survey on How and Why Young New Zealanders View Online Pornography

Full Article Title: Research Findings of a Survey on How and Why Young New Zealanders View Online Pornography

Open Access: Yes

Abstract

Research from New Zealand and around the world has established that children and adolescents view online pornography and there is significant concern amongst parents, young people, and those working in youth education and health about the potential effects of this exposure. There is ongoing debate about whether correlational studies of potential harms of pornography (for example an increase in sexual aggression, coercion or risky sexual behaviours) also imply causation. Nonetheless, research suggests that pornography can have significant effects on the attitudes and behaviours of young people. Following consultations with a variety of agencies and researchers – and conducting an in-house literature review– we identified a need for robust, up-to-date evidence about the scope of the issue. The OFLC commissioned Colmar Brunton to conduct a nationally representative quantitative survey. We are planning a subsequent qualitative phase in 2019.

Relevance

Almost 30% have seen pornography by age 12; and a majority by age 14. Among regular viewers, the average and median age of first exposure is age 14. It was common for first exposure to be by accident.

“Most regular viewers have seen violence or aggression (69%), or non-consensual activity (72%) in pornography.” Women were victimized 2 and 3 times more often than men.

Most regular viewers “are more likely to see a focus on men’s pleasure and dominance of others, while also being more likely to see women being demeaned, subject to violence or aggression, and subject to non-consensual behaviour.”

91% have seen a man controlling and dominating another person and 61% see this often.

More have seen women being called names or swear words in pornography than men.

“Two thirds (66%) of young people have not talked to a parent or caregiver about porn. Young people are unlikely to raise the topic of porn at home.”

Young people were more than 5 times more likely to say that porn has a negative influence on attitudes or behaviours than a positive influence.

“Most (72%) see things in porn that make them feel uncomfortable, including 70% of regular viewers (those who see porn monthly or more often).”

“Of regular viewers, 42% say they would sometimes or often like to spend less time looking at porn, but fi nd this hard to do.”

Almost 20% look at pornography because they felt pressured to do so. The same percentage do so to help with stress or anxiety. And 13% look at pornography to help with feelings of sadness or depression. Yet looking at pornography makes 12% feel sad or unhappy, and 14% feel upset.

Citation

Office of Film and Literature Classification. (2018). NZ Youth and Porn: Research findings of a survey on how and why young New Zealanders view online pornography. Office of Film and Literature Classification. https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/2292/49407/NZYouthPorn-OFLC-December2018-PrintVersion.pdf