Rates, Age, & Impact of Exposure to Pornography

Open Access: Yes.

Abstract

This report documents the results of a demographically representative national survey of more than 1,300 teens (age 13 to 17) in the United States. It was conducted from September 12 to September 22, 2022. The purpose of the report is to understand the role that online pornography plays in U.S. adolescent life and to establish a baseline for understanding U.S. teens’ pornography use. For this report, online pornography includes any videos or photos viewed on websites, social media, or anywhere else on the internet that show nudity and sexual acts intended to entertain  and sexually arouse the viewer. Pornography often features explicit pictures of body parts (such as the genitals) and sexual acts (including oral sex, masturbation, anal sex, etc.). The report focuses on the following for teens in the U.S.:

• The percentage of teens who report that they have viewed online pornography, on purpose or accidentally.
• The frequency with which teens view online pornography.
• In what ways teens are being exposed to online pornography.
• The ages at which teens first encounter online pornography.
• What teens say they learn from online pornography.
• Attitudes toward viewing online pornography.
• Exposure to violence and stereotypes in online pornography.
• Who teens talk to about sexual health and online pornography

Relevance

15% of US teens first consumed porn at age 10 or younger – and more than half of all teens did so at age 13 or younger.

More than half of teens “reported having seen pornography depicting what appears to be rape, choking, or someone in pain.”

“Teens reported that exposure to racial and ethnic stereotypes in pornography was also common. Many teens of color across different racial and ethnic groups experienced negative feelings because of these stereotypes.”

“More than half of teens encountered online pornography accidentally”…”suggesting that unintentional pornography exposure may be a frequent experience for teens who aren’t seeking it out.” This shows evidence of the pervasiveness of pornography in everyday teen online spaces.

Less than half of all teens have discussed pornography with a trusted adult.

Almost one-quarter of teens have watched pornography while physically at school, during the school day. Many have viewed pornography on a school-issued device.

“One in four teens who said they have seen pornography report that they think about watching online porn throughout the day.”

“Overall, 21% agreed that most people like to be spanked, hit, or slapped during sex, and only 14% agreed that it is safe to put your hands around someone’s neck during sex. But these numbers are higher among viewers of violent pornography: In this group, 28% agreed that most people like to be hit during sex, and 20% agreed that it’s safe to put one’s hand around someone’s throat during sex.”

“Black teens were especially likely to have indicated that having seen a stereotypical portrayal of their identity in pornography made them feel “disgusted” (25%) or “self-conscious” (21%).”

Citation

Robb, M.B., & Mann, S. (2023). Teens and pornography. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/report/2022-teens-and-pornography-final-web.pdf