NCJ Number
243021
Date Published
2013
Length
88 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effect that access and exposure to pornography has on children and young people.
Abstract
Findings from this study on the effect that access and exposure to pornography has on children and young people include the following: a significant proportion of children and young people are exposed to or access pornography; the exposure and access to pornography occurs both online and offline; exposure and access to porn increases with age; exposure is more prevalent than deliberate access; young men and boys are more likely to be exposed to porn than young women and girls; children and young people's sexual beliefs are affected by exposure and access to porn; and exposure and access to porn are linked to increases in risky behaviors by young people and children. Despite the robustness of these findings, additional areas still remain to be examined regarding the effects of exposure and access to porn on young people's attitudes and behaviors. These areas include cultural or subcultural effects, potential individual differences, and potential associations between porn and pathological behavior. This study was conducted by Middlesex University for the Office of the Children's Commissioner in Great Britain. The primary focus of the study was to determine the extent of young people's and children's exposure and access to pornography; the effect that this has on young people's and children's sexual expectations, attitudes, and behaviors; and the extent to which exposure to sexualized or violent visual imagery affects young people's and children's behaviors, attitudes, and sexual expectations. Recommendations for future research are included in the report, along with recommendations for the government on ways to deal with the problem. Tables, figures, references, and endnotes