Skip to main content
Explore our new free resources for Children’s Advocacy Centers.
Explore our new free resources for Children’s Advocacy Centers. ×

Shaping Sexual Behaviors & Sexual Scripts

The Impact of Internet Pornography on Adolescents: A Review of the Research

The recent proliferation of Internet-enabled technology has significantly changed the way adolescents encounter and consume sexually explicit material. Once confined to a personal computer attached to a telephone line, the Internet is now available on laptops, mobile phones, video game consoles, and other electronic devices. With the growth of the Internet has come easier and more ubiquitous access to pornography. The purpose of this article was to review the recent (i.e., 2005 to present) literature regarding the impact of Internet pornography on adolescents. Specifically, this literature review examined the impact of Internet pornography on sexual attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and sexual aggression. The authors also discuss the literature related to the influence of sexually explicit Internet material on self-concept, body image, social development, as well as the expanding body of research on adolescent brain function and physical development. Finally, recommendations for future research were discussed, based on this literature review.Full Article Name: The Impact of Internet Pornography on Adolescents: A Review of the Research

Open Access: No

Abstract

The recent proliferation of Internet-enabled technology has significantly changed the way adolescents encounter and consume sexually explicit material. Once confined to a personal computer attached to a telephone line, the Internet is now available on laptops, mobile phones, video game consoles, and other electronic devices. With the growth of the Internet has come easier and more ubiquitous access to pornography. The purpose of this article was to review the recent (i.e., 2005 to present) literature regarding the impact of Internet pornography on adolescents. Specifically, this literature review examined the impact of Internet pornography on sexual attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and sexual aggression. The authors also discuss the literature related to the influence of sexually explicit Internet material on self-concept, body image, social development, as well as the expanding body of research on adolescent brain function and physical development. Finally, recommendations for future research were discussed, based on this literature review.

Relevance

The studies reviewed collectively showed that youth who consume pornography tend to develop and/or exhibit:

  • unrealistic sexual values and beliefs,
  • sexual preoccupation,
  • earlier sexual experimentation,
  • sexually aggressive behavior,
  • reduced self-worth (girls feel physically inferior; boys feel sexually impotent),
  • lower social integration,
  • greater conduct problems,
  • higher levels of delinquent behavior,
  • greater incidence of depressive symptoms,
  • and decreased emotional bonding with caregivers.

Conversely, as pornography use decreases, self-confidence and social development increases.

Citation

Owens, E. W., Behun, R. J., Manning, J. C., & Reid, R. C. (2012). The impact of internet pornography on adolescents: A review of the research. Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity, 19(1-2), 99–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/10720162.2012.660431

 

Stay Connected!

Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.