Learn more about the potentially harmful effects of pornography and what you can do
Impacts of pornography
Pornography is often just a few clicks away but there are a few things to consider before watching it. It’s important to understand what the impacts can be and what help is available.
It's ok to be curious about pornography
Pornography (also known as 'porn') is easy to access and free, so it’s really tempting to check it out
Some people may watch porn regularly, while others might not watch it at all.
You may have lots of different emotions and opinions about porn and that’s ok.
It’s important to know that porn is not the same as sex in real life and it can affect us and our relationships in many ways.
The ideas and situations portrayed in pornography usually do not represent real life sex.
How pornography can impact on us and our relationships
Here’s what you need to know about pornography:
It can send messages about what sex ‘should’ be like
Violence, humiliation and disrespect are never ok
Sex is not just a physical act, it’s an emotional one too
Pornography can give you unhealthy notions of sex and relationships
Pornography is a performance by paid actors - it can misrepresent pleasure
Regularly watching porn can shape your sexual tastes and expectations
Pornography isn’t reality, so it can set you up for disappointment in your sex life
Some types of sex that happen regularly in porn, happen less often in real life
Porn commonly portrays and reinforces racial and gender stereotypes
The bodies you see in porn don’t reflect how most people’s bodies look
It doesn’t teach you about consent or safe sex and the possible consequences
The size and shape of body parts doesn’t limit or enhance your ability to enjoy sex
Porn can lead to mismatched expectations and conflict in your relationships
Comparing yourself to people in porn can sometimes make you worry about your body
You may find it hard to stop watching porn even when it’s causing problems in your life
Some types of porn are illegal (e.g. anything involving someone under the age of 18 is considered 'image based abuse')
There’s help out there if you feel pornography is becoming a problem for you
If you’re having issues with the use of pornography and it’s affecting your sex life or relationships:
Seek support from a trusted friend or adult
Reduce time spent watching porn or how often you watch it
Talk to a counsellor for support
If pornography is having an impact on your life, we’re here to help.
If pornography is impacting on you in ways you don’t like, that make you feel upset or worried - you don’t need to deal with it alone.
This content was last reviewed 25/09/2019
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