2022

Teens and
Pornography
Teens and Pornography
COMMON SENSE IS GRATEFUL FOR THE GENEROUS SUPPORT AND
UNDERWRITING THAT FUNDED THIS RESEARCH REPORT:

Jennifer Caldwell and John H.N. Fisher

Margaret and Will Hearst

 A Letter from Our Founder
Engaging with pornography has been a rite of passage in many teens' exploration of sex, but
since the early days of the internet, their access to the digital world has stoked concerns from
parents. Some worry that kids will stumble across pornography when they're too young to
understand it, and others are concerned that older teens' exposure to pornography will
influence unrealistic or even dangerous representations of what healthy sexual relationships
look like.

This new report explores just how a demographically representative sample of teens in the
United States engaged with or experienced pornography online, from how old they were when
they first encountered it, to how it impacts their views on sex and sexual relationships. The
report confirms that the majority of teen respondents age 13 to 17 have watched pornography Founder and CEO
online—and some have seen it by age 10 or even younger. And while some have discovered it James P. Steyer
accidentally, a significant number of teens said they were viewing online pornography
intentionally on a regular basis.

Here's what else we learned about how teens in this survey engaged with pornography:

• 15% said they first saw online pornography at age 10 or younger. The average
age reported is 12.

• 44% have seen it intentionally. Additionally, 58% have seen it accidentally.

• 71% who said they have intentionally watched pornography reported viewing
it in the last week.

• Unintentional exposure to pornography could be a common experience for

teens, as 63% of those who said they have only seen pornography accidentally
reported that they had been exposed to pornography in the past week.

• 45% felt that online pornography gives helpful information about sex.

The results of this research confirm a very important point: It's time for us to talk about
pornography. We need to consider conversations with teens about pornography the same way
we think of conversations about sex, social media, drug and alcohol use, and more. Kids can and
will be exposed to pornography one way or another, often before a caregiver has a chance to
tackle the subject.

But what trusted adults have to say about it matters. While under half of the teens in our
research reported they've had such conversations about pornography, those who did said
these talks encouraged them to find other ways to explore sex and sexuality. We have an
opportunity, at home and in school, to help kids build better knowledge and healthier attitudes
about sex than what pornography can provide.

That said, pornography isn't for kids, and work must be done to ensure they do not encounter it
accidentally. At Common Sense, we support parents and caregivers as they tackle these tough
conversations, but we also work to ensure that the biggest players in the digital world are
putting protections in place to keep pornography away from those too young to engage with it,
and to provide better tools to minimize the accidental exposures that many teens report.

Through our parent resources and our advocacy efforts, we will continue to ensure all kids
have the chance to grow, experiment, and explore safely in a digital world.
 Credits
Authors: Michael B. Robb, PhD, Common Sense
Supreet Mann, PhD, Common Sense

Copy Editor: Jennifer Robb

Data Collection and Analysis: Benenson Strategy Group

Designers: Kristin Bumgarner

Dana K. Herrick

SPECIAL THANKS

Advisory Group: Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH, Indiana University

Bryant Paul, PhD, Indiana University Bloomington
Emily Rothman, ScD, Boston University
Carolyn West, PhD, University of Washington Tacoma

Suggested citation: Robb, M.B., & Mann, S. (2023). Teens and pornography. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense.
 Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Key Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Teens’ General Exposure to Online Pornography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Online Pornography and Teens at School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

General Attitudes Toward Online Pornography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

What Teens Are Learning About Themselves from Pornography . . . . . . . . 19

Teen Experiences with Potentially Discomforting or Harmful

Content in Pornography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

The Role of Trusted Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
 Introduction

What does it mean to grow up in a world where pornography Teens may turn to different sources for information or advice
is easily accessible from a young age? Articles in the media about sexual behaviors. Parents are often a primary form of
express concerns over whether pornography is a public health support and information during puberty, but adolescents
hazard, whether it harms the brain in a lasting way, and often keep some information from their parents (Kerr &
whether it’s creating a generation that doesn’t understand Stattin, 2000), and they may be more likely to turn to their
that what pornography shows may not reflect real life. A major peers and media, including pornography, to learn about sensi-
problem underscores these debates—despite a high level of tive topics such as sex. A 2014 study found that 42% of 10- to
concern, we largely don’t know much about what pornography 17-year-olds have viewed pornography online (Wright &
use looks like for children in the United States today. For Donnerstein, 2014), and several reports have suggested that
various moral, ethical, political, and methodological reasons, advanced pubertal maturation may be related to more fre-
pornography use among youth is understudied. We are stuck quent use of pornography (e.g., Beyens et al., 2014; Luder et
in a situation where there is widespread, immediate concern, al., 2011; Peter & Valkenburg, 2006). For some teens, online
but we know fairly little about the underlying issues. pornography may be an outlet to learn about sexual behaviors
without parental control or judgment from peers. The ano-
The internet is a place of exploration for many young people, nymity, endless choices, and lack of oversight inherent in
but the ubiquity of internet access on personal mobile devices, internet use may cause unique issues for children who use the
laptops, and even school devices means that younger people internet to view pornography.
(including older elementary school students) have constant
access to online spaces in ways that can be difficult to monitor A common refrain is how much more difficult it was to access
and control. Most teens have their own smartphone, giving pornography before the internet because it required access to
them nearly constant access to a variety of websites and plat- physical magazines, movies, and books. Today’s teens have
forms with pornographic content. And although parents and more options than previous generations, including generally
caregivers might talk with their children about safe sex or drug unfettered access to pornographic websites, social media, and
use, they may not know how or at what ages to broach the other outlets. Smartphones may also make it easier for chil-
topic of pornography. With online pornography easily avail- dren to share pornographic materials with their peers: In
able, there is an immediate need for research examining the 2021, 88% of teens reported having their own smartphone, as
role of pornography in teens’ lives, so that figures like parents, well as 42% of 10-year-olds (Rideout et al., 2022). Personal
teachers, and doctors can give teens the guidance and support devices enable more pornography access as well as easier
they need for healthy physical, social-emotional, and sexual sharing with peers, generally undetected by parents. Easy
development. access may even extend outside traditional arenas, like the
home, and into unexpected spaces, like schools.
It’s especially important to understand how pornography is
integrated into kids’ lives during adolescence, a developmen-
tal period when children are exploring and developing their
identity (Schumacher & Camp, 2010). As adolescents undergo
the physical and social-emotional changes associated with
puberty (see Steinberg, 2016), they begin to explore their
sexual development and often turn to the internet to learn
about sexual behaviors (e.g., Rothman et al., 2021; Ward,
2003; Wright, 2011).

© COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY 1

The Current Report
This report documents the results of a demographically rep- This is a cross-sectional research study and, as such, it was not
resentative national survey of more than 1,300 teens (age 13 designed to answer causal questions. Instead, this study was
to 17) in the United States. It was conducted from September designed to reveal answers to basic questions about the scale
12 to September 22, 2022. The purpose of the report is to of pornography use among a sample of U.S. teens, and how
understand the role that online pornography plays in U.S. teens themselves see the role of pornography in their lives.
adolescent life and to establish a baseline for understanding
U.S. teens’ pornography use. For this report, online pornog- This is a national survey that is demographically representa-
raphy includes any videos or photos viewed on websites, tive of teenagers in the United States. Because the results
social media, or anywhere else on the internet that show come from a non-probability-based sample, the results of this
nudity and sexual acts intended to entertain and sexually survey apply to this sample specifically, and it is possible that
arouse the viewer. Pornography often features explicit a different sample would find different results. That said, we
pictures of body parts (such as the genitals) and sexual acts believe this report provides valuable insights that can help
(including oral sex, masturbation, anal sex, etc.). inform the efforts of researchers and advocates working on
issues related to teenagers and pornography.
The report focuses on the following for teens in the U.S.:
We hope that this data will push national, local, and family
• The percentage of teens who report that they have
conversations about pornography past assumptions about
viewed online pornography, on purpose or accidentally.
what we think teens are doing to a fact-based foundation that
• The frequency with which teens view online accurately depicts what teens are actually experiencing. In
pornography. doing so, the parents, educators, and providers in children’s
lives can better meet their needs.
• In what ways teens are being exposed to online
pornography.

• The ages at which teens first encounter online

pornography.

• What teens say they learn from online pornography.

• Attitudes toward viewing online pornography.

• Exposure to violence and stereotypes in online

pornography.

• Who teens talk to about sexual health and online

pornography.

2 TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY © COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 Methodology

Benenson Strategy Group (BSG) conducted a quantitative regulations and/or 45 CFR Part 46, Subpart D federal regula-
online survey of N = 1,358 teens age 13 to 17 (see Table A for tions, which provide for additional protections for children as
demographic breakdown and weighting information). While research subjects.
teens who have been exposed to pornography were not tar-
geted specifically for sampling, this sample included n = 1,007 Participants were recruited from online panels. As the
teens who have been exposed to online pornography. The American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR)
sample also included n = 259 LGBTQ+ teens, which was notes, an online panel is a sample of persons who have agreed
achieved via quotas to ensure representation. The survey was to complete surveys via the internet. For this research, online
fielded from September 12 to September 21, 2022. Note: It is panels contacted individuals to invite them to participate in
not possible to calculate a margin of error for a non-probabil- the survey if they had indicated that they are parents, guard-
ity-based sample. This study was approved by the Advarra IRB ians, or caregivers of minors or were believed to be likely to be
in accordance with the 21 CFR Part 50, Subpart D federal one of these based on other data.

TABLE A. Demographic profile of survey sample

Unweighted Weighted

Benchmark n Percent n Percent

Age

• 13- to 14-year-olds 40% 471 35% 543 40%

• 15- to 17-year-olds 60% 887 65% 815 60%

Gender

• Cis boys 48% 697 51% 652 48%

• Cis girls 46% 585 43% 625 46%

• Trans/nonbinary/another gender identity 6% 73 5% 78 6%

Race/Ethnicity (multi-select)

• White 68% 1045 77% 927 68%

• Latino/a/x or Hispanic 24% 171 13% 326 24%

• Black or African American 16% 209 15% 215 16%

• Asian American or Pacific Islander 6% 63 5% 75 6%

• Another racial or ethnic identity 6% 46 3% 95 7%

Region

• Northeast 16% 272 20% 217 16%

• Midwest 21% 288 21% 299 22%

• South 38% 557 41% 530 39%

• West 24% 241 18% 312 23%

© COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY 3

Given that the study was conducted with minors, the survey
included a permission form for adult caregivers that included
details of the study, allowing caregivers to make an informed
decision on whether to allow their child to participate. Details
included the purpose, requirements, risks, benefits, alterna-
tives, compensation, confidentiality, and point of contact for
the study. After caregivers granted permission for their child
to participate in the study, the rest of the survey was intended
for the child to complete. If caregivers denied permission, the
child’s participation in the survey was terminated.

Participants were asked for their consent to participate, and

were shown a note explaining the purpose and design of the
study, potential risks a minor might face completing the
survey, and the confidentiality of their responses. Participants
were allowed to opt out of any questions that made them
uncomfortable, and to end the survey at any time. Participants’
caregivers were recruited through the panel companies
Dynata, Precision, and Prodege, and received compensation
in the form of cash or gift cards.

The survey is based on self-reported information. Stigma and

sensitivity around the topic of pornography, particularly
among the age group studied, may lead to self-response bias.
Questions were written in a manner that made space for par-
ticipants to discuss their experiences with pornography
without acknowledging their intentional viewing of online
pornography.

Teens are not a monolith. Consumption habits and attitudes

toward online pornography may vary widely across demo-
graphic subgroups. The study was designed to identify
pornography consumption habits and attitudes toward por-
nography among teens overall, as well as across different
demographic subgroups of teens. Demographics studied in
this research were age groups, gender, race, sexuality, religios-
ity, and geography. Throughout this report, designations of
“urban,” “suburban,” and “rural” are based on ZIP codes, not
self-assessment of the area in which a respondent lives. This
report also refers to cisgender (cis) girls and boys. As the
Human Rights Campaign Foundation notes, cisgender is “a
term used to describe a person whose gender identity aligns
with those typically associated with the sex assigned to them
at birth.”

4 TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY © COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 Key Findings

1. Most teens (73%) reported that they FIGURE 1. Teens who have seen online pornography, by age
have consumed pornography.
Many of these respondents (41%) reported having seen por- 73%

nography during the school day, including roughly one in three

(31%) who said they had viewed pornography while attending
54%
school in person. Furthermore, among teens who reported
that they have viewed pornography during the school day,
nearly half (44%) reported having viewed pornography on
school-owned devices.

• Among all teens who participated in the survey, most 15%

(54%) reported that they first saw online pornography

when they were 13 or younger, including 15% who 10 or younger 13 or younger 17 or younger

reported they had seen pornography before they

turned 11 (Figure 1).

• On average, teens in this survey reported having first

consumed pornography when they were 12.

2. While the vast majority of FIGURE 2. Teens who have seen online pornography on
respondents said they have seen purpose or accidentally

pornography, just under half of all

teens (44%) indicated that they had 15% 29% 29%

done so intentionally, while slightly

more than half (58%) indicated they had
44% 58%
encountered pornography accidentally. EVER VIEWED EVER VIEWED
PORNOGRAPHY PORNOGRAPHY
Just under a third (29%) said they have seen pornography both “ON PURPOSE” “ACCIDENTALLY”
intentionally and accidentally (Figure 2). Among teens in this
“On purpose” only Both “accidentally” “Accidentally” only
survey who said they have intentionally watched pornogra-
and “on purpose”
phy, 71% reported viewing pornography in the last week.

© COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY 5

3. A majority of respondents who said 5. Rates of intentional pornography
they had only seen pornography consumption were also higher among
accidentally reported they had been respondents who are LGBTQ+ (66%),
exposed to pornography in the past including transgender and nonbinary
week (63%), which could indicate that respondents (66%).
unintentional pornography exposure LGBTQ+ respondents who consume pornography were more
was a common experience for likely than other groups to have said that they view pornogra-
respondents. phy “to find out what arouses and excites them,” suggesting
that pornography may play a larger role in exploration for
LGBTQ+ teens than for other teens.

4. While the reported rates of

exposure to pornography were similar
across demographics, there were 6. There was a tension between
significant differences by gender in respondents’ enjoyment of pornography
terms of intentional consumption. and their feelings of guilt associated
Overall, 75% of cis* boy respondents reported having con-
with consuming it.
sumed pornography, and 70% of cis girl respondents said the While most teens who reported in this survey that they had
same (Figure 3). But 52% of cis boy respondents said they had seen pornography said they feel “OK” about the amount of
consumed pornography intentionally, compared to 36% of pornography they watch (67%), half (50%) reported feeling
cis girls. guilty or ashamed after watching pornography.

FIGURE 3. Teens who have seen online pornography,

by gender
7. Teens indicated that they were
◼ Cis boys ◼ Cis girls learning about sex from the
75% pornography they consume.
70%
While teens said they consume pornography for a wide variety
of reasons and have learned about different aspects of sex and
52%
their sexuality from it, a desire to better understand their own
sexual preferences was a top reason for consuming pornogra-
36%
phy. While more teens who view pornography felt (45%) that
pornography gives them “helpful” information about sex than
those who did not feel that way (35%), relatively few (27%)
said that pornography “accurately shows the way most people
Ever seen Watched on purpose have sex” (compared to 52% who disagreed with this).

Note: Cis is a term used to describe a person whose gender identity aligns with
those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth.

6 TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY © COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

8. A majority of teens who indicated 9. Teens reported that exposure to
they have viewed pornography have racial and ethnic stereotypes in
been exposed to aggressive and/or pornography was also common.
violent forms of pornography. Many teens of color across different racial and ethnic groups
This includes 52% who reported having seen pornography experienced negative feelings because of these stereotypes.
depicting what appears to be rape, choking, or someone in In particular, Black respondents were especially likely to have
pain (Figure 4). In contrast, one in three (33%) have seen por- indicated that having seen a stereotypical portrayal of their
nography that included someone asking for consent before identity in pornography made them feel “disgusted” (25%) or
engaging in sexual activity. However, only a relatively small “self-conscious” (21%).
share (21%) of 16- to 17-year-old teens who indicated in this
survey that they have seen pornography believed that most
people like to be hit during sex. (Only teens in this age range
were asked this question.)
10. Most teens indicated that they
have discussed sex-related issues, such
as sex or condoms, with trusted adults
FIGURE 4. Types of online pornography seen by teens
in their lives, but less than half (43%)
Aggressive and/or violent
have discussed pornography.
On a positive note, however, most who indicated they have
52%
discussed pornography with trusted adults indicated positive
outcomes, including 51% who said the conversation “encour-
Someone asks for consent aged [them] to think about ways to explore sex or [their]
sexuality other than porn.” Even as respondents acknowl-
33% edged learning about different dimensions of sex and
sexuality from pornography, teens were far more likely to say
they had learned a lot about sex from a parent, caregiver, or
trusted adult (47%) than from pornography (27%).

© COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY 7

Teens and Pornography

Nearly 3 4
in teen respondents (73%)
have been exposed to pornography,
either accidentally or on purpose.

Cis* boy respondents were more likely Percent of teen respondents who have seen
to view pornography on purpose com- online pornography, by age:
pared to cis girls.

Teens who have seen online pornography, 15% 54% 73%

by gender

75% 70% AGE 10 AGE 13 AGE 17

OR YOUNGER OR YOUNGER OR YOUNGER
52%
36%
12 is the average age when children
first consumed pornography.

EVER SEEN PORN WATCHED PORN

ON PURPOSE
Cis boys Cis girls
More than half of teens encountered online
*Cis refers to a person whose gender identity aligns with those typically
associated with the sex assigned to them at birth. pornography accidentally.

Teens who have seen online pornography on

Most teen respondents who intentionally purpose or accidentally
watched pornography were regular viewers 15% 29% 29%
(once a week or more).

Among teens who watched pornography

intentionally, how frequently they watched
pornography in the last year 44% 58%
EVER VIEWED EVER VIEWED
PORNOGRAPHY PORNOGRAPHY
“ON PURPOSE” “ACCIDENTALLY”
59% 41%

WATCHED ONCE WATCHED LESS “On purpose” only Both “accidentally” “Accidentally” only
A WEEK OR MORE THAN ONCE A WEEK and “on purpose”
More than half of teen respondents said they Many teen respondents believed online
had seen violent and/or aggressive pornography, pornography gives helpful information
including media that depicts what appears to be about sex, but fewer thought it accurately
rape, choking, or someone in pain. shows sex.
Teens who agreed that online pornography ...
Teen who have seen ...
GIVES HELPFUL INFORMATION ABOUT SEX

45%

33% 52% ACCURATELY SHOWS SEX

27%

PORNOGRAPHY IN VIOLENT
WHICH SOMEONE ASKS PORNOGRAPHY
FOR CONSENT

Only 1 3
in said they had seen pornography
that includes someone asking for consent
before engaging in sexual activity.

Less than half of teen respondents had

discussed pornography with a trusted adult.

Teens who have discussed pornography with a

trusted adult
Of those, 51% said the conversation
"encouraged [them] to think about
43% 57% ways to explore sex or [their]
sexuality other than porn."
HAVE HAVE NOT

Methodology:
Benenson Strategy Group (BSG), on behalf of Common Sense, conducted a demographically representative national survey of N = 1,358 teens age 13 to 17 in the United States,
including n = 1,007 teens who have been exposed to online pornography and n = 259 LGBTQ+ teens. The survey was fielded from September 12 to September 21, 2022.
 Teens’ General Exposure to Online Pornography

In our digital world, teens use the internet to explore and learn Twenty-nine percent of teens reported having viewed
about their identities, preferences, and desires, including pornography both accidentally and on purpose. Overall, 44%
when it comes to sex and sexuality. This research suggests of teens have sought out pornography “on purpose,” while
that pornography has served as one aspect of that exploration 58% have ever encountered pornography “accidentally.” In
for many teens. Overall, nearly three in four teens (73%) who general, demographic groups that more often reported having
participated in this survey reported that they have seen online seen pornography were much more likely to say that they had
pornography, while just 24% reported that they have never deliberately done so. LGBTQ+ teens (66%), cis boys (52%),
seen online pornography (and 3% reported either that they teens living in urban ZIP codes (51%), and 15- to 17-year-olds
were not sure or that they preferred not to say whether they (48%) were all more likely to say they had viewed pornography
had ever seen online pornography). deliberately. In contrast, non-LGBTQ+ teens (39%), cis girls
(36%), teens in rural areas (39%), and 13- to 14-year-olds
The share of teens in this survey who said they have been (40%) were all less likely to say they had viewed pornography
exposed to pornography varies by demographics—across age, deliberately.
gender, race, sexuality, religiosity, and geography—but was
consistently 65% or higher regardless of demographic group. A majority of all teens who participated in this research (54%)
Pornography exposure was reported to be higher among said they first viewed pornography (either accidentally or
LGBTQ+ teens (89%) than non-LGBTQ+ teens (70%), and intentionally) when they were 13 or younger; 15% said they
higher among teens who live in ZIP codes designated as urban first saw pornography when they were age 10 or younger; and
or suburban areas (77%) than in rural ZIP codes (65%). Teens 39% said they were 11 to 13 years old. Overall, the average
age 15 to 17 (76%) and cis boys (75%) were both slightly more age of self-reported first exposure to online pornography was
likely to report having seen pornography than teens overall, 12 years old (Table 1).
though 70% of teens age 13 to 14 and 70% of cis girls reported
having seen online pornography.

TABLE 1. Reported age of first viewing online pornography

However, while overall rates of exposure to pornography were
(among all teens)
relatively consistent across demographic groups in this
survey, there was more variation in terms of how teens Age Percentage
reported encountering pornography. Teens responding to the 10 or younger 15%
survey were given the option to say whether they had seen
11 to 13 39%
online pornography only “on purpose,” only “accidentally,” or
“both on purpose and accidentally.” This question setup was 14 to 15 17%
designed with two thoughts in mind: (1) It is possible that a 16 to 17 3%
teen may have encountered pornography unintentionally, and
(2) it is possible that some teens may have felt more comfort-
able reporting accidental pornography exposure than
deliberate pornography consumption. (Note: Both possibili-
ties could influence how an individual teen answered this
The average age of self-reported first
question.) exposure to online pornography was
12 years old.

© COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY 11

Seeking Out Pornography Online
Among teens who said they have ever intentionally consumed It is notable that more than a third of teens who intentionally
pornography, the vast majority (71%) indicated that they had view pornography said they seek it out on social media on a
intentionally consumed pornography at least once in the past weekly basis. While the statistic is alarming and may point to
seven days. Of this majority, LGBTQ+ teens (77%), cis boys a need for content moderation, it may not necessarily indicate
(76%), and 13- to 14-year-old teens (75%) were the most likely that teens are consuming professionally produced pornogra-
to have indicated they had consumed pornography on purpose phy on mainstream social media. One possibility is that teens
in the previous seven days. were reporting their consumption of self-generated nude or
nearly nude content by nonprofessionals. Another possibility,
Of the teens who reported in this survey that they have delib- given that teens reported seeing pornography shared with
erately viewed pornography, 59% indicated that they them by peers, is that teens were reporting being made aware
intentionally consumed pornography every week (not just in of content by peers on social media (but that could be hosted
the previous seven days). Teens who had deliberately sought elsewhere online).
out pornography were most likely to indicate they had used
pornography websites (e.g., Pornhub or YouPorn) to do so While two-thirds of cis girls (67%) who reported that they
(Table 2). have deliberately consumed pornography indicated they had
done so in the previous week, cis girls who were intentional
Overall, 44% of teens who reported in this survey that they consumers were much less likely than cis boy intentional con-
have intentionally viewed pornography said they had chosen sumers to say they had sought out pornography on three or
to use a pornography website once a week or more to consume more days in the previous seven days (23% for cis girls and
pornography in the past year, including 47% of all LGBTQ+ 41% for cis boys) (see Table 3). This suggests that while there
teens and 54% of cis boys (see Table 2). Pornography websites may be little difference by gender in overall rates of exposure,
were the top self-reported destination to consume pornogra- there are noticeable differences in frequency of deliberate
phy for most demographic groups, but very religious teens consumption of pornography by gender.
were more likely than others to have reported that they
sought out pornography using social media and non-pornog-
raphy video sites.

TABLE 2. Teens who have viewed pornography on the following at least once a week in the past year
(among teens who intentionally viewed pornography)

Age Age Transgender/ Non-

By demographic TOTAL 13 to 14 15 to 17 Cis Boy Cis Girl Nonbinary* LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+

Porn websites 44% 49% 42% 54% 33% 35% 47% 43%
(e.g., Pornhub, YouPorn, Xvideos, etc.)

Social media 38% 49% 32% 40% 35% 35% 39% 37%
(e.g., TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, etc.)

Video sites/platforms 34% 45% 28% 40% 26% 35% 30% 36%
(e.g., YouTube)

Subscription sites for user-generated 16% 24% 12% 18% 14% 14% 17% 16%
content (e.g., OnlyFans)

Livestreaming or “cam” sites 18% 29% 13% 18% 20% 12% 19% 18%

Other 19% 29% 14% 19% 17% 28% 23% 18%

* Small base size; interpret with caution.

12 TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY © COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

TABLE 3. Teens who viewed online pornography in the past week, by frequency
(among teens who intentionally viewed pornography)

Age Age Transgender/ Non-

By demographic TOTAL 13 to 14 15 to 17 Cis Boy Cis Girl Nonbinary* LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+

Three or more days 34% 40% 30% 41% 23% 33% 39% 33%

One or two days 37% 35% 38% 35% 43% 23% 38% 37%

Total at least once 71% 75% 68% 76% 67% 55% 77% 70%

* Small base size; interpret with caution.

Self-Reported Accidental
Pornography Exposure Experiences
Most teens (58%) responding to this survey reported that they
Of those who reported they have only
have unintentionally encountered online pornography. Of
those, 29% who said they have accidentally seen online por- ever seen pornography accidentally,
nography also reported that they have purposely sought out 63% said that they saw pornography
pornography (see Figure 2, page 5).
accidentally at least once in the past
While many respondents across demographics reported seven days.
having only been exposed to pornography that they had not
deliberately sought out, some demographics reported higher
rates of this accidental-only exposure, including cis girls (34%)
and teens who described themselves as “very religious” (36%).

Worryingly, most teens responding to this survey who said

they have only ever seen pornography accidentally also
reported that they had been exposed to pornography acciden-
tally in the previous seven days, suggesting that unintentional
pornography exposure may be a frequent experience for
teens who aren’t seeking it out. Of those who reported they
have only ever seen pornography accidentally, 63% said that
they saw pornography accidentally at least once in the past
seven days. Overall, among all teens, nearly two in five (38%)
reported that they had seen pornography accidentally in the
seven days prior to taking the survey.

© COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY 13

While 23% of all teens responding to this survey said they have FIGURE 5. Ways in which teen respondents have ever
accidentally seen pornography as a result of a friend or class- accidentally seen pornography
mate they know “in real life” having shown it to them, a (among all teens)
majority of all teens (51%) said they have accidentally encoun-
Total online exploration
tered pornography via clicking a link, a search engine result, an
51%
online ad, or on social media in some way (Figure 5).
Respondents reported that this accidental online exposure Total friends/classmates (in person or online)
came from a diffuse array of sources: links to websites they did 29%
not realize were pornography (including those sent to them by
Clicked a link on your own but didn’t realize was porn
a friend), online ads, search engine results, and social media.
25%

Overall, 18% of all teens who participated in this survey said Shown by a friend/classmate you know in real life
they have ever accidentally encountered pornography on 23%

social media, but no single platform stood out as an over- Search engine results (e.g., Google, Bing)
whelming source of self-reported accidental pornography
19%
exposure. This survey asked about some of the most popular
Clicked a link sent to you and didn’t realize was porn
social media platforms among teens, but no more than 7% of
all teens indicated any particular platform was the source of 18%

an accidental pornography exposure. Just 1% of all teens indi- Social media

cated that they had accidentally encountered pornography on 18%
a social media platform that was not named in the survey.
Online ad
14%

Shown by a friend/classmate you only know online

12%

14 TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY © COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 Online Pornography and Teens at School

Concerningly, this survey found that pornography had played Notably, most teens responding to this survey who indicated
a part in many teens’ school days. Overall, 30% of all teens in they have consumed pornography during the school day said
this survey (41% of teens who said they have ever been that they had done so during in-person school, not remote
exposed to pornography) reported that they have been learning. In fact, teens in this survey were nearly two times as
exposed during the school day (see Table 4). And across demo- likely to say they had consumed pornography while physically
graphic groups (gender, age, race, etc.), at least one in four at school (23% of all teens) than to say they had done so during
teens indicated that they have seen pornography while at remote learning (12% of all teens). It is important to note that
school. LGBTQ+ teens (43%) and those in urban areas (36%) this survey did not define “attending school remotely,” and it
were more likely than average to say they had consumed por- is possible that respondents understood that term in a way
nography during the school day. that would preclude certain times during the school day—for
example, times when they are not actively engaging in a class
with a teacher.

Most teens (60%) who reported having ever seen pornogra-

phy during the school day in this survey reported seeing it
Nearly one third of all teens reported several times a month, including two in five (40%) who said
that they have been exposed to they have seen pornography at school at least weekly. Teens
living in urban ZIP codes reported being exposed to pornog-
pornography during the school day. raphy in school most frequently, with over one in three
reporting that they have seen pornography in school multiple
times a week, and half reporting that they have seen pornog-
raphy in school at least once a week.

TABLE 4. Teen respondents that have seen online porn during the school day (among all teens)

Age Age Transgender/ Non-

By demographic TOTAL 13 to 14 15 to 17 Cis Boy Cis Girl Nonbinary* LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+

Yes, in person at school 23% 23% 23% 24% 20% 27% 30% 21%

Yes, while attending school remotely 12% 12% 12% 14% 9% 24% 22% 10%

Total seen porn in school 30% 30% 30% 33% 25% 43% 43% 27%

* Small base size; interpret with caution.

By school type TOTAL Traditional Public Charter/Magnet Home Private/Religious

Yes, in person at school 23% 20% 31% 11% 41%

Yes, while attending school remotely 12% 9% 21% 16% 19%

Total seen porn in school 30% 26% 41% 27% 50%

© COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY 15

Overall, about one in four teens who said in this survey that
they have seen pornography (24%) said that they “think about
watching online porn throughout the day,” with cis boys (29%)
more likely than cis girls (18%), and 13- to 14-year-old teens
(29%) more likely than 15- to 17-year-old teens (20%).
LGBTQ+ teens (27%) were also slightly more likely than non-
LG BTQ+ teens (23%) to have said they think ab out
pornography throughout the day.

One in four teens who said they have

seen pornography report that they
think about watching online porn
throughout the day.

Furthermore, over two in five (44%) respondents who had

seen pornography during the school day said they had seen it
on a school-issued device, representing 13% of all teen
respondents. Notably, reported exposure on school-issued
devices was highest among 13- to 14-year-old teens: Of teens
in this age group who participated in this survey, 17% indi-
cated that they had ever seen pornography on a device issued
or owned by their school. While this survey did not ask about
electronic device access in general, it could be that younger
teens are less likely to own or control their own computer or
other electronic device and are relying on school-owned
equipment as a result.

The rate of reported school-day pornography consumption

was relatively consistent across most demographics in this
survey, but did vary significantly by type of school: Teens
responding to this survey who indicated they attend private
schools (including religious schools) were nearly twice as likely
as students who said they attend traditional public schools to
say they had ever seen pornography during the school day
(50% vs. 26%). For comparison, 41% of respondents who
attend charter schools or magnet schools said they had seen
pornography during the school day, and 27% of teens who are
homeschooled said the same.

Teens who said they attend either a private school or a public

charter or magnet school were also more likely than teens at
traditional public schools to have said they have consumed
pornography while attending school in person.

16 TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY © COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 General Attitudes Toward Online Pornography

Even as this survey suggests that pornography consumption this research cannot answer with certainty whether these
appears to be common among teens, many respondents, feelings of guilt or shame led to any teens misreporting inten-
including deliberate consumers of pornography, indicated that tional pornography consumption as accidental.
they have negative perceptions about pornography. Among
teens who indicated they have ever seen pornography, slightly At the same time, for the most part, teens who have seen por-
more (41%) said they agreed with the statement “I believe nography reported contentment with the level of their
watching online porn is wrong” than those who said they dis- pornography exposure: Of these, 67% said they “feel OK
agreed with it (38%). But there were notable differences about the amount of online porn [they view],” compared to
among teens who reported intentional consumption versus 25% who indicated they “feel like [they] should watch less
those who indicated that accidental exposure was the only online porn than [they] do” (see Table 5). Meanwhile, 9% of
way they had ever seen online pornography, with the former teens who have seen pornography indicated they “wish [they]
being more likely to have disagreed than agreed. Most teens could watch more online porn than [they] do.”
in the latter group (55%) said they agree that watching online
pornography is wrong. This research found that for many teens, “feeling OK” about
their pornography consumption can exist alongside feelings of
guilt and shame about consuming pornography. Among those
Half of teens said they “feel guilty or who feel OK about the quantity of pornography they consume,
41% also said they feel guilty or ashamed after consuming, and
ashamed after watching online porn.”
even 36% of teens who said they wish they could watch more
pornography said they feel guilty or ashamed after they do so.
Furthermore, half of teens (50%) said they “feel guilty or These results suggest that teens hold conflicting views about
ashamed after watching online porn.” This was especially pro- pornography, and for many, online pornography may have
nounced among teens who reported that their only exposure both positive and negative connotations. The results also may
to pornography has been accidental: Of these, 67% said they indicate that shame and guilt are not emotions that ultimately
feel guilty or ashamed after seeing pornography. While it may dissuade teens from consuming pornography, though this is
be the case that these feelings of guilt or shame have led them not possible to conclude with certainty.
to not want to disclose intentional pornography consumption,

TABLE 5. Teens who agree with the following statements

(among teens who have ever viewed pornography)

Age Age Transgender/ Non-

By demographic TOTAL 13 to 14 15 to 17 Cis Boy Cis Girl Nonbinary* LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+

I feel ok about the amount of online 67% 57% 73% 64% 69% 70% 72% 65%
porn I view

I feel like I should watch less online 25% 31% 21% 25% 25% 19% 20% 26%
porn than I do

I wish I could watch more online 9% 12% 6% 11% 6% 11% 9% 9%

porn than I do

* Small base size; interpret with caution.

© COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY 17

 What Teens Are Learning About Themselves
from Pornography

Teens are learning many lessons from their online pornogra- Specifically, most pornography viewers said they have learned
phy consumption, including some potentially harmful lessons about “what types of behaviors are likely to feel pleasurable
about sex and violence. But much of what teens appeared to to [them]” (73%), “what types of sexual behaviors are likely to
be “learning” through consumption of pornography is about not feel pleasurable to [them]” (64%), “what sexual behaviors
their own desires and preferences. [they are] interested in trying” (72%), and “what types of part-
ners [they] find attractive” (72%) (see Table 6).
Among teens who were pornography viewers, nearly half
(45%) said one reason they watch pornography is to “find out Similarly, the majority of teens who indicated that they view
what arouses and excites them” (not just to experience arousal pornography said they have also learned about sexual rela-
or excitement). LGBTQ+ teens (54%) and cis boys (54%) were tionships and sex as it relates to others from the pornography
the most likely to have said this. Furthermore, most teens who they watched, including “how to have sex” (79%), “about
viewed pornography acknowledged having learned at least “a human bodies and anatomy” (79%), and the “types of behav-
little” about their sexual preferences (both likes and dislikes) iors … likely to feel pleasurable” (73%) and “not pleasurable”
from consuming pornography. It is not clear the degree to (60%) to a partner. Slightly less than half of teens (48%) said
which teens believe that pornography consumption can shape they have learned about “how to talk with partners” from the
their preferences in addition to informing them. pornography they watch.

TABLE 6. Teens who say they have learned the following from online pornography
(among teens who have ever viewed pornography)

Age Age Transgender/ Non-

By demographic TOTAL 13 to 14 15 to 17 Cis Boy Cis Girl Nonbinary* LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+

How to have sex 79% 78% 79% 85% 72% 81% 86% 77%

How to talk with partners 48% 48% 48% 51% 43% 51% 54% 46%

What types of partners I find attractive 72% 71% 72% 80% 61% 76% 80% 69%

What sexual behaviors I am interested 72% 69% 75% 82% 61% 77% 81% 69%
in trying

About human bodies and anatomy 79% 78% 81% 83% 74% 87% 85% 78%

What types of sexual behaviors are likely to 73% 70% 75% 82% 61% 78% 81% 70%
feel pleasurable to me

What types of sexual behaviors are likely to 64% 64% 64% 71% 55% 76% 75% 60%
NOT feel pleasurable to me

What types of sexual behaviors are likely to 73% 70% 76% 82% 64% 78% 82% 71%
feel pleasurable to a sexual partner

What types of sexual behaviors are likely to 60% 60% 62% 68% 51% 72% 67% 60%
NOT feel pleasurable to a sexual partner

* Small base size; interpret with caution.

© COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY 19

It is important to note that while teens responding to this FIGURE 6. Teen pornography viewers who agree that
survey acknowledged learning about sex and their sexuality pornography…
from pornography, and that more teen pornography viewers
agreed with the statement that “online porn gives helpful Gives helpful information about sex
information about sex” than disagreed (45% vs. 35%), most
viewers indicated that they know that portrayals of sex in 45%

pornography are inaccurate. Overall, 52% of teens who have

viewed pornography said they disagreed with the statement
Accurately shows sex
“sex shown in online porn accurately shows the way most
people have sex,” compared to only 27% who agreed. 27%

Forty-five percent of teen pornography

viewers agreed with that “online porn gives
helpful information about sex.”

Specifically, 13% of teens who reported in this survey that

they have consumed pornography indicated that they believe
both that online pornography gives “helpful” information
about sex and that sex shown in pornography is inaccurate.
Among this group, a majority are cis boys (52%) and 15- to
17-year-old teens (75%). While most of these teens are cis and
heterosexual, LGBTQ+ teens are overrepresented within this
cohort (32% of these teens are LBGTQ+). This research cannot
determine the precise drivers of this dynamic with certainty,
but it may be that because teens are learning about their own
desires and preferences from pornography, they see it as
helpful, even as they recognize that it may not represent what
most sex typically looks like.

20 TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY © COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 Teen Experiences with Potentially Discomforting
or Harmful Content in Pornography

While many teens in this survey reported that viewing por- Overall, 21% agreed that most people like to be spanked, hit,
nography has supported their exploration and understanding or slapped during sex, and only 14% agreed that it is safe to put
of their own sexuality in ways that they may personally con- your hands around someone’s neck during sex. But these
sider to have been positive, their responses to this survey also numbers are higher among viewers of violent pornography: In
suggest that many teens are encountering content that they this group, 28% agreed that most people like to be hit during
may find disturbing. The pornography they have consumed sex, and 20% agreed that it’s safe to put one’s hand around
may also have distorted their perceptions about the preva- someone’s throat during sex.
lence of sexual behaviors that could be harmful. Specifically,
this research examined exposure to and lessons from pornog- This research cannot answer with certainty whether teens
raphy that depicts violence and also pornography that who already hold these attitudes about violence and sex have
includes racial, ethnic, and other stereotypes. sought out violent pornography, or if specific violent behav-
iors have been normalized through pornography consumption,
though the latter could be a possibility.
Violence and Aggression
in Pornography
Overall, most teens who said they have viewed pornography
Stereotypes in Pornography
in this survey also said they have seen pornography showing In addition to violence, teens in this survey reported encoun-
violent and/or aggressive content, including what appears to tering racial and ethnic stereotypes in the pornography they
be rape (19% of viewers), choking (36%), or someone in pain have consumed, and this content has caused harm to teens,
(37%), and 52% of teen viewers of pornography said they’ve especially people of color. A majority of pornography-viewing
seen pornography depicting at least one of these things (38% teens (55%) indicated that they encounter pornography por-
of all teens). In contrast, just 33% reported having ever seen traying Black people in a stereotypical way “often” or
pornography that depicted an ask for consent prior to sex. “sometimes” (see Table 7 on page 22) Many teens also
reported “often” or “sometimes” viewing pornography that
portrayed other people of color in a stereotypical fashion,
Fifty-two percent of teen viewers of including Latino/a/x people (50%), Asian people (46%), and
pornography said they've seen Middle Eastern people (26%).

pornography depicting what Notably, teens from a given racial/ethnic background are more
appears to be rape, choking, or likely to have encountered pornography that treats people of
their own race/ethnicity in a stereotypical way. It is unclear if
someone in pain.
this is because these teens are more likely to seek out pornog-
raphy that includes people who appear to share their racial/
Notably, there was a relationship between frequency of por- ethnic background, are more attuned to stereotypical por-
nography viewership and the rate of exposure to violence in trayals of people from their racial/ethnic background, a
pornography. Among teens who said they deliberately con- combination of those factors, or other factors.
sumed pornography three or more days in the past seven days,
80% said they have ever seen pornography depicting rape, Regardless of the reasons why teens from a given race or eth-
choking, or pain. This compares to 48% of teens who indicated nicity were more likely to encounter stereotypes of their own
they have viewed pornography intentionally in the past but identity in the pornography they see, this study found these
did not do so in the week prior to taking the survey. portrayals have had harmful effects on teens.

© COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY 21

TABLE 7. Teens who say they have encountered pornography that portrays the following groups in a stereotypical way
(among teens who have ever viewed pornography)

Race/Ethnicity of Pornography Actor

By race/ethnicity Asian American /

of viewer TOTAL White Black Latino/a/x Pacific Islander* All People of Color

Black 55% 51% 69% 54% 50% 59%

Asian 46% 43% 44% 49% 46% 48%

Latino/a/x 50% 45% 53% 61% 52% 56%

Middle Eastern 26% 28% 24% 24% 28% 25%

Other people of color 43% 41% 50% 42% 36% 45%

* Small base size; interpret with caution.

Teens from a given racial/ethnic background are more likely to have encountered
pornography that treats people of their own race/ethnicity in a stereotypical way.

In particular, Black teens were especially likely to have indi- TABLE 8. Feelings reported by teen pornography viewers
cated that having seen a stereotypical portrayal of their after seeing stereotypes of their own identity
identity in pornography made them feel “disgusted” (25%) or groups in the pornography they have viewed
“self-conscious” (21%) (Table 8). Asian American /
Black Latino/a/x Pacific Islander*
Stereotypes pertaining to gender and sexual orientation are
Self-conscious 21% 16% 16%
also prevalent in pornography. Most viewers indicated that
Angry 18% 13% 22%
they have seen pornography that depicts people in stereotypi-
cal ways based on their gender either “often” or “sometimes” Disgusted 25% 11% 16%
(55%), and half said they see pornography that stereotypes
Curious 20% 22% 10%
sexual orientation at least “sometimes” (50%).
Neutral 27% 23% 27%

Victimized 17% 8% 25%

Good 17% 21% 18%

None of the above 15% 26% 23%

Negative feelings 43% 31% 46%

* Small base size; interpret with caution.

22 TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY © COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 The Role of Trusted Adults

Crucially, even as teens in this survey acknowledged learning FIGURE 7. Have discussed each with a parent, guardian, or
about different dimensions of sex and sexuality from pornog- trusted adult (among all teens)
raphy, teens were far more likely to say they had learned a lot
Relationships
about sex from a parent, caregiver, or trusted adult (47%) than
82%
from pornography (27%) (see Table 9). Friends (41%) and sex
education in school (32%) also scored higher than pornogra-
Sex
phy as sources of information from which teens had learned a
75%
lot about sex in general, and teens were nearly as likely to say
they had learned about sex from non-pornographic TV shows
Condoms
or movies (25%) as from online pornography.
63%

But while most teens in this survey said they have discussed
Birth control
relationships (82%), sex (75%), and birth control (53%) with a
53%
trusted adult, less than half (43%) said they have discussed
pornography specifically (see Figure 7). Overall, conversations
Porn
about relationships and sex were the most common conversa-
43%
tions that teens have had with trusted adults, while
pornography was the topic that teens were the least likely to None of the above
have reported discussing with a trusted adult among the
8% 8%
options the survey asked about.

TABLE 9. Teens indicating that the following groups have taught them about sex (among all teens)

Age Age Transgender/ Non-

By demographic TOTAL 13 to 14 15 to 17 Cis Boy Cis Girl Nonbinary* LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+

A parent, caregiver, or other trusted adult 47% 42% 50% 46% 49% 37% 41% 48%

Friends 41% 39% 43% 40% 41% 49% 48% 39%

Sex education in school 32% 30% 32% 30% 34% 30% 32% 31%

Online pornography 27% 28% 26% 30% 22% 35% 36% 25%

TV or movies (non-pornographic) 25% 26% 24% 27% 23% 21% 25% 25%

Sex education videos on sites like YouTube, 21% 20% 22% 22% 20% 20% 25% 20%
TikTok, or other apps or websites

Books or other things I've read 20% 20% 20% 17% 22% 33% 30% 18%

School or teachers at school 16% 19% 14% 15% 17% 15% 13% 17%

Sibling or cousin 15% 15% 16% 16% 15% 8% 15% 16%

A doctor 13% 14% 12% 14% 13% 10% 11% 13%

My pastor or religious leader 9% 11% 7% 10% 8% 5% 6% 9%

* Small base size; interpret with caution.

© COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY 23

Among those who said they have discussed pornography with
a trusted adult, most reported outcomes that can likely be Content Filters and
considered positive, suggesting that caregivers should feel
confident about initiating these conversations. In particular,
Parental Controls
these conversations appear to have led to teens feeling like Among all teens responding to the survey, slightly fewer than
they have access to a wider array of resources to explore sex one in three (32%) said there are currently content filters or
and sexuality. Among teens who have had these conversa- parental controls in place at their home to try to prevent them
tions, 71% agreed the conversation “made [them] feel like from accessing pornography, while another 15% indicated
there are helpful resources other than pornography to explore that these controls are not currently used in their home but
sex or [their] sexuality.” have been used in their home previously.

Most teens in this survey also reported that their experience Age appears to be a key driver of the use of parental controls
of these conversations was that they were non-shaming: intended to prevent access to pornography in teens’ homes:
Sixty-six percent agreed that the conversation “made [them] Of teens responding to this survey age 13 to 14, 42% said
feel like it was OK to explore [their] sexuality,” and only 34% these filters/controls were currently in use in their home,
said the conversation “made [them] feel bad about viewing compared to just 24% of teens age 15 to 17.
porn.”

Notably, many teens indicated that they wish they could have One in four teens age 15 to 17 said
conversations about their experiences with online pornogra-
phy with a trusted adult, but either felt they did not know how
that parental filters/controls were
to initiate that conversation (39%) or did not know who to turn used in their home.
to (34%) (see Table 10).

Parents and caregivers should also be aware that online por- While more teens responding to this survey agreed that these
nography was reported to be a top source of information filters/controls were effective than disagreed (41% vs. 30%),
about sex for teens who said in this survey that they have not these findings as a whole suggest that active conversations
learned anything about sex from a trusted adult. Of these about pornography between adults and the children in their
teens, 30% said they learned “a lot” or “everything [they] care may be important in shaping behaviors and beliefs
know” about sex from pornography, more than for any other around pornography, sex, and sexuality.
source of information the survey asked about.

Importantly, younger pornography viewers (age 13 to 14)

were the most likely to say they want to be able to discuss what
they have seen in pornography with an adult but “don’t know
how to do that” (48%) or are “not sure who to talk to” (43%).

TABLE 10. Teens who agree with the following (among teens who have ever viewed pornography)

I'd like to talk with an adult about

some of the things I've seen in Age Age Transgender/ Non-
online porn but I am not sure… TOTAL 13 to 14 15 to 17 Cis Boy Cis Girl Nonbinary* LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+

How to do that 39% 48% 34% 42% 34% 52% 42% 39%

Who to talk to 34% 43% 29% 36% 32% 37% 37% 33%

* Small base size; interpret with caution.

24 TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY © COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 Conclusion

Online pornography is a regular part of many teens’ everyday need to reckon with how to approach the topic with their chil-
lives. With increased access to pornographic material through dren. Hoping that children will avoid pornography themselves
the internet, concerns about the effects of pornography are is not a useful strategy, especially given how many teens are
more relevant than ever. Existing research on the influences exposed to pornography unintentionally. Parents should con-
of pornography on young people show several negative out- sider a conversation about pornography in a similar way as
comes, including: they might conversations about sex, relationships, or birth
control. Many teens themselves say they want to talk with a
• Increased sexual aggression (Wright, Paul & Herbenick,
trusted adult about what they’re seeing. Although these con-
2021).
versations can be awkward or difficult, they are worth
• Anxiety, depression, and reduced well-being (Kohut & it—teens say the conversations help them understand that
Štulhofer, 2018). there are other options besides pornography for learning
about sex and sexuality.
• Interpersonal relationship problems (Wright et al., 2021).

• Dangerous sexual behaviors (e.g., choking, name-calling, Another possible strategy for addressing pornography use
etc.), particularly among boys (Wright et al., 2021). could include the delivery of age-appropriate educational cur-
riculum in schools as part of comprehensive sex education.
Research shows some positive effects as well (though mostly One such curriculum, pilot-tested with adolescents in a non-
with adults), including body acceptance and increased knowl- school setting and showing promising findings, addresses
edge about sex and anatomy (Hesse & Pederson, 2017). For pornography viewing in the context of reducing sexual and
LGBTQ+ youth in particular, who may use pornography more dating violence by helping participants understand pornogra-
frequently and who are more likely to say that they use por- phy using a critical lens (Rothman et al., 2018). Another
nography to discover more about their sexuality, pornography strategy could be technological solutions to prevent teens
could be an important part of self-acceptance (Kubicek et al., from accessing online pornography. In the United Kingdom,
2010). the government has introduced legislation that would require
companies that provide pornography to introduce age verifi-
But the reality is that there has been little research on the cation measures to their sites to prevent them from being
effects of pornography on adolescents, and so we should accessed by minors (“What Is Age Verification Law in UK?,”
remain alert to alarmist headlines about pornography being a n.d.). A combination of support from parents, schools, and
public health crisis or destroying America’s youth. However, industry could go a long way toward preventing viewing, as
this does not mean there isn’t cause for concern. There cer- well as give kids the tools they need to critically interpret what
tainly isn’t enough research to suggest that the potential they’re seeing.
benefits of viewing pornography outweigh the potential
harms, only that there may be some benefits to some users This report shines a light on an issue that many are uncomfort-
under some conditions. able with but that likely affects most teens in the United
States. The stakeholders in children’s lives cannot ignore that
The findings reported here suggest that many teens view the majority of U.S. teens are seeing and learning from graphic
pornography (accidentally and on purpose), learn from por- sexual content—often from young ages—and need to be better
nography, and are exposed to harmful stereotypes and violent equipped with tools to help them. It is unlikely that there are
sexual content through pornography. Combined with other any solutions that would prevent teens from accessing por-
research suggesting negative effects, there is enough evi- nography entirely, so additional resources are needed to help
dence to suggest that robust strategies should be in place to support teens, in a nonjudgmental manner, in order to better
address likely viewing. In a world in which a majority of teens support their healthy physical, social-emotional, and sexual
have smartphones in their pockets, parents and caregivers development.

© COMMON SENSE MEDIA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. TEENS AND PORNOGRAPHY 25

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