The effects of pornography on individuals or their sexual relationships depend on the type of pornography used and differ from person to person. Pornographic material has been studied particularly for associations with addiction [1] as well as effects on the brain over time. Some literature reviews suggest that pornographic images and films can be addictive, [2] [3] particularly when combined with masturbation, [4] while others maintain that data remains inconclusive. Pornography has many different forms which are difficult to cover in blanket form.

There is a lot of discussion about the possible effects of online pornography on children and young people and the messages pornography generates about gender, equality and sexuality. Pornography exists within a broader sociocultural context in which stereotypes about gender, sexism, sexual objectification and violence-supportive attitudes are also at play. Nearly half of children between the ages of experience regular exposure to sexual images. Young males are more likely than females to deliberately seek out pornography and to do so frequently. Pornography use can shape sexual practices and is associated with unsafe sexual health practices such as not using condoms and unsafe anal and vaginal sex.

However, no funding was received for the material featured in this article. For many young people, pornography has become the default sex educator. Research evidence from around the world shows porn has harmful impacts on young people and adults alike. Read more: How male 'porn superfans' really view women.