JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Formative experiences in adolescence lay the foundation for healthy and pleasurable romantic and sexual relationships throughout life. Exposure to pornography may impact these experiences.

Objective:

We aimed to synthesize evidence published in the past decade for relationships between exposure to pornography and sexual behavior (earlier age of first sex (<16), condomless sex, past-year multiple partners (>1), lifetime multiple partners (>1), group sex, sexual aggression including forced sex, paid sex, teenage pregnancy, and history of sexually transmitted infection) in adolescents aged 10-19.

Methods:

Searching Medline, PsycInfo, Cochrane, CINAHL, Embase, and Web of Science from January 2010 to March 2022, we identified nineteen eligible studies.

Results:

Four out of six studies of earlier age of first sex, including one longitudinal study, found a significant association with exposure to pornography. Given most studies were cross-sectional or had substantial limitations, a causal inference could not be made. Evidence was conflicting or insufficient to make any conclusions for other outcomes. Exposure to pornography was not measured consistently.

Conclusions:

More quantitative research is needed to elucidate the association between pornography exposure and sexual behavior, and sex education should adopt evidence-based approaches to minimize potential harms of pornography.