What is pornography like for today’s teenagers? This is the first generation to grow up in a world where smartphones and high-speed internet have always existed. According to recent studies, 95% of teens now have access to a portable X-rated theater—i.e. a smartphone.1
The rise of smartphones has correlated closely with increased porn consumption among younger generations. It’s easier to access than ever, with more variety, and more social acceptability.
In our research, we’ve examined some of the most important—and shocking—research on teens and porn.
Do teens watch porn?
It’s become increasingly normal for teens to watch porn. No matter how you slice it, teens watch a startling amount of porn. Interestingly, researchers also found that nearly half of teens (45%) feel addicted to their devices, and just over half (52%) have taken some steps to cut back or limit their use.2 Studies suggest that watching pornography is one of the most addicting things you can do on your devices. So then, we shouldn’t be surprised by the fact that teens watch porn—lots of it.
New research conducted in 2022 also found that many teens are unintentionally exposed to porn. According to Common Sense Media, 58% of teens had stumbled across porn accidentally. Of that 58%, almost two thirds reported that they’d been exposed within the past week.3
What percent of teens watch porn?
The data reveals that most teens are watching pornography. Here are some of the most alarming statistics about teens and pornography:
- 73% of teens have consumed pornography.4
- 45% of teens believe that pornography gives helpful information about sex.5
- The average age of first exposure to pornography is 12.6
- 57% of teens have not discussed pornography with a trusted adult.7
- 52% of teens have seen violent pornography.8
- 38% of teens said they had viewed pornography on social media within the past year.9
- Children exposed to pornography are more than 3 times as likely to engage in problematic sexual behavior.10
For more detailed statistics on porn consumption, see also How Many Men Watch Porn? and How Many Women Watch Porn?
Is porn bad for teens?
Some may question whether we should be alarmed about the number of teens using pornography. After all, isn’t it a relatively harmless way to explore their sexuality? No—porn is a harmful and unnatural way to learn about sex and may hinder real relationships from developing normally.
Interestingly, today’s teens are more likely to recognize the harmful effects of porn than previous generations. According to Barna’s research, Gen Z has the most negative perception of porn since the baby boomer generation. 50% say it’s bad for society, and only 12% say it’s good for society.11
At the same time, what teens consider to be pornographic has also changed drastically. For an increasing number of teens, sexual imagery—even graphic nudity—is not porn unless it depicts intercourse.
Many psychologists, even those who don’t have a moral axe to grind with porn, are concerned about the kind of sexual education porn is giving kids and how it is harming their brains. Furthermore, ample evidence shows that porn is bad for teens in many ways:
- Porn creates unrealistic expectations about sex.
- Porn trains misogynistic thinking.
- Porn desensitizes people to sexual violence.
- In some cases, porn can lead to sexual dysfunction.
(For more, see 4 Ways Porn Warps the Male Brain).
As parents, we have to prepare our kids to deal with porn. If we don’t prepare them, who will?
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