Consumption of sexually explicit internet material and its effects on minors' health: latest evidence from the literature

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Nowadays adolescents and children are more and more exposed to sexually explicit internet material (SEIM), but most parents and healthcare professionals neglect this issue.The aim of the present study is to evaluate the impact of online pornography on minors' health with a specific focus on the effects produced on their behavioural, psychophysical and social development. METHODS. A literature search was performed on PubMed and ScienceDirect in March 2018 with the query "(pornography OR sexually explicit internet material) AND (adolescent OR child OR young) AND (impact OR behaviour OR health)". Results published between 2013 and 2018 were analysed and compared with previous evidence. RESULTS. According to selected studies (n = 19), an association between consumption of online pornography and several behavioral, psychophysical and social outcomesearlier sexual debut, engaging with multiple and/or occasional partners, emulating risky sexual behaviors, assimilating distorted gender roles, dysfunctional body perception, aggressiveness, anxious or depressive symptoms, compulsive pornography useis confirmed.CONCLUSIONS. The impact of online pornography on minors' health appears to be relevant.Nonetheless, sex education in schools is not compulsory in Italy at present. The issue can no longer be neglected and must be targeted by global and multidisciplinary interventions. Empowering parents, teachers and healthcare professionals by means of educational programs targeting this issue will allow them to assist minors in developing critical thinking skills about pornography, decreasing its use and obtaining an affective and sex education that is more suitable for their developmental needs.

Exploring Health Behaviors in Ugandan Adolescents Living in Rural Fishing Communities

“…This issue is not unique to Uganda. Principi et al (2019) note that global consumption of pornography in minors can no longer be neglected. Governmental and nongovernmental organizations must work together to develop content that provides youth the opportunity to critically think about pornography and its impact on their sexual health (Principi et al, 2019).…”

Association between educational attainment and risky sexual behaviour among Ghanaian female youth

“…Researchers have also found that youth from well-to-do households have more disposable income and thus are more likely to misuse drugs leading to high forms of sexual risk-taking behaviours 19 , 20 . Further, these youth are more likely to have access to erotic material through social media which has been linked to the prevalence of a hook-up culture in this population 21 , 22 . For instance, Carmack & Rodriguez (2020) found that higher Facebook usage among female study participants (17- 23 years) was associated with having concurrent sexual partners and the pursuit of hookups 21 .…”