Pornography, sexuality, and internet addiction: Psychological impacts across the lifespan and preventive strategies for youth

Abstract

As people age, their sexuality evolves. Youth is a critical time for sexual development, marked by curiosity and exploration.
In adulthood, individuals often face challenges like maintaining intimacy. The influence of pornography varies
across life stages, serving as an informal teacher for youth but potentially leading to unfulfilled expectations or relationship issues for adults. Early exposure to online pornography can have significant psychological impacts on youth, affecting
mental health, sexual development, and overall wellbeing. Research shows that such exposure can lead to hypersexualisation,skewed perspectives on sex, and misconceptions about sexual behaviour. Adolescents addicted to
pornography may suffer from cognitive and emotional impairments, including obsessive-compulsive thoughts,
sleep disturbances, and difficulties in forming healthy relationships. This can result in decreased life satisfaction,
mental health issues like depression and anxiety, and problematic sexual behaviours in adulthood. Excessive
pornography consumption is linked to dangerous sexual behaviours, internet addiction, and distorted sexual
standards, potentially normalising aggressive sexual activities. Forensic implications include a higher risk of
developing paraphilias, engaging in sexual aggression, or becoming victims of online sexual victimisation. These
findings underscore the need for comprehensive education, parental monitoring, and regulatory measures to
mitigate the adverse effects of early pornography exposure on adolescents.