Sexually Explicit Media on the Internet: A Content Analysis of Sexual Behaviors, Risk, and Media Characteristics in Gay Male Adult Videos

Abstract

Recent research suggests that viewing sexually explicit media (SEM), i.e., adult videos, may influence sexual risk taking among men who have sex with men (MSM). Despite this evidence, very little is known about the content of gay male SEM on the Internet, including the prevalence of sexual risk behaviors and their relation to video- and performer-characteristics, viewing frequency, and favorability. The current study content analyzed 302 sexually explicit videos featuring male same-sex performers that were posted to five highly trafficked adult-oriented websites. Findings revealed that gay male SEM on the Internet features a variety of conventional and nonconventional sexual behaviors. There was a substantial prevalence of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) (34%) and was virtually the same as the prevalence of anal sex with a condom (36%). The presence of UAI was not associated with video length, amateur production, number of video views, favorability, or website source. However, the presence of other potentially high-risk behaviors (e.g., ejaculation in the mouth, and ejaculation on/in/rubbed into the anus) was associated with longer videos, more views, and group sex videos (three or more performers). The findings of high levels of sexual risk behavior and the fact that there was virtually no difference in the prevalence of anal sex with and without a condom in gay male SEM have important implications for HIV prevention efforts, future research on the role of SEM on sexual risk taking, and public health policy.

Sexually Explicit Online Media and Sexual Risk Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States

“…As the MSM-specific SEOM industry has grown, there has also been an increase in the percentage of MSM-specific SEOM depicting unprotected sex (Downing, Schrimshaw, Antebi, & Siegel, 2013; Grudzen et al, 2009; Hurley, 2009). It has been argued that increasing consumer demand and access to amateur SEOM portraying UAI has created an online market that compels industry production of SEOM portraying UAI (McNeil, 2012; Rosser et al, 2012).…”

“…Despite almost universal SEOM use among MSM (Rosser et al, 2013; Stein et al, 2012) and SEOM’s likely greater portrayal of UAI compared to sexually explicit media distributed in more traditional ways (e.g, DVDs, video tapes, magazines) (Downing et al, 2013; Grudzen et al, 2009), we are only aware of one study that has specifically assessed the association of SEOM as opposed to sexually explicit media more generally, with MSM’s sexual behavior. In a recent daily diary study, Rosenberger (2012) found that MSM were more likely to engage in anal intercourse, oral sex, and oral-anal contact on the days they viewed SEOM compared to days they did not.…”

Internet Pornography Use, Body Ideals, and Sexual Self-Esteem in Norwegian Gay and Bisexual Men

“…Online gay SEM has been reported to play a positive role in the sexuality of men who have sex with men (MSM) by expanding their understanding of their sexual orientation, sexual knowledge, and behavior preferences (e.g., Hald, Smolenski, & Rosser, 2013;Nelson, Leicklya, Yanga, Pereirab, & Simonia, 2014). However, a number of studies have also found an association between frequent use of SEM and several types of sexual risk behaviors (e.g., Downing, Schrimshaw, Antebi, & Siegel, 2014;Eaton, Cain, Pope, Garcia, & Cherry, 2012).…”

The Relationship Between Self-Reported Sexually Explicit Media Consumption and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China

“…For example, viewing SEM may aid in the learning of performing same-sex sex 20,21 ; promote self-recognition of same-sex attractions 20,22 ; and clarify sexual self-labels 23 . However, SEM depicting male same-sex acts often contain several potentially risky sexual behaviors known to be associated with STI risk, including UAI, ejaculation in the mouth (EM), and ejaculation in/on or rubbed into the anus (EA) 24 . Some studies have indicated that viewing SEM is associated with sexual risk behaviors among MSM 25,26 .…”

“…Prior studies also tend to focus UAI as either the sexual risk behavior or the behavior of interest as depicted in the SEM 25,26 . However, SEM depicting male same-sex acts often contain several potentially high-risk sexual behaviors including exchange of semen, ejaculation in the mouth (EM) and ejaculation on or around the anus (EA) which require further study 24 .…”