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In July 1995, TIME Magazine published a cover story entitled “Cyber Porn,” flashing the tragic face of a young boy engulfed in the blue light of a computer screen before mortified readers. The widespread adoption of the internet had made access to adult content all too easy, and moral panic ensued.
Three decades later, the crusade against porn hasn’t really yielded the intended results. Quite the opposite, in fact: In 2022, the adult entertainment industry was estimated to be worth $58.4 billion. That number is projected to reach $96.2 billion by 2032.
In the age of AI, VR/AR and other advancing technologies can bring fantasies literally to life. The lines between real and virtual worlds become obliterated with offerings such as cyberbrothels, fantasy playlands, live camming, and sex robots.
The criticisms of pornography are valid. Unchecked and stereotypically, adult content propagates misogyny and violence, it depicts unrealistic bodies and sexual positions, it can lead to social isolation and unhealthy use, and children are at risk of being exposed to adult and inappropriate content far before they can process or contextualise it.
As a sexologist, I ask a different question: How can we turn our rampant and uncontrolled consumption of adult content to our individual and social benefit? A more effective way to mitigate the downsides of pornography in society might be to elevate and educate about its positive effects. If you can’t beat ‘em, educate them.
Here are some ways porn can actually help us, rather than harm us.
Porn Reveals Who We Are
The kind of adult content we seek out and consume offers great insight into impulses and desires we don’t express overtly, as well as overarching mindsets and trends.
For instance, the 2024 Pornhub report revealed that in the Philippines and Argentina, over 50 percent of porn consumers are women compared to approximately 25 percent in the U.S., Canada, and Germany. It also showed that the number of female viewers has steadily risen across the globe over the past 10 years, from 24 percent to 38 percent.
Boomers are curious about gang bangs, while Gen Z is into Hentai. In California, “friend’s mom” was searched more than in other states, while in Missouri, that term was “grandma.” In Alaska, it was “anal dildo.” This information is more telling than any demographic poll.
Porn Calls For a Deeper Understanding of Motivation
When it comes to the impact of consuming pornography, the “why” seems to affect the outcome and impact. For example, when couples watch porn to learn how to do new things, they report lower shame and distress around sex. Sexual curiosity, it seems, is a positive use case for porn use.
Women who watch pornography to expand their sexual horizons have more sex and higher sexual satisfaction. Sharing clips with their partner is also a less intimidating way of expressing what they like, one study showed.
By contrast, when men, who primarily consume porn solo, use it for coping or avoiding a problem, they seem to be more prone to problematic use. Men in these cases report lower sexual arousal, which could impact their relationships—but also higher hypersexuality and the risk of compulsive behavior.
So, it’s not that you watch porn that’s problematic—it’s why. Understanding your motivations and needs can help drive healthier media consumption as well as relationship dynamics.
Ethical Porn Can Teach You About Sex
When it comes to the problematic depictions of sex and violence, and unrealistic bodies and positions, the emerging field of ethical pornography offers a potential solution. Ethical pornography has been defined as adult content that is “made consensually, treats performers with respect, and pays performers and filmmakers fairly for their work.”
Ethical porn features events like seeking consent and using protection that are left out of traditional porn scenes; it also showcases a range of bodies, sexual preferences, and pleasure palettes and reflects a wider lens than the typical “male gaze” that shows images from a man’s point of view. While ethical porn does not solve every problem, these sites are growing in popularity and can be a worthy alternative.
Pornography Essential Reads
Porn Literacy Is an Opportunity
A report by Common Sense Media revealed that 54 percent of teens 13 or under had seen online pornography. That number rises to 73 percent for kids 17 and under. Forty-five percent believed that online pornography gives helpful information about sex, but only 27 percent thought it accurately shows sex.
What this tells us is that our kids are curious, overwhelmed, and more discerning than we think. The moment is ripe for education.
Porn literacy education is defined as “a pedagogical strategy intended to increase young people’s knowledge and awareness about the nature of the portrayals of sexuality in Internet pornography, including issues such as gender politics, body ideals, and safety.” While technology will continue to deliver adult and potentially confusing media into the hands of kids, parents and educators can lean into the opportunity for open and safe dialogue. There are many groups across the world offering guidance around porn literacy for children, and they typically suggest youth-led approaches to build ethical sexual citizenship and agency.
In sex and relationships, nothing is ever black and white. And if technology is bound to place adult content at our fingertips, we will benefit from setting aside the moral outrage and focusing on harnessing its potential for good.
