Youth and Porn Resource KitAre some young people more vulnerable than others?
While the impact of watching porn varies greatly, some young people may be more vulnerable to harm than others, for example:
Young people with minimal sexuality education
Young people with little access to sexuality education may be more vulnerable to thinking porn is real and more likely to incorporate the messages in porn into their real-life sexual understandings and experiences (67).
Young people with faith-based backgrounds
Faith based youth are more vulnerable to feel distressed about their porn usage, to think that porn is negatively impacting their relationships, and to identify as feeling ‘addicted’ to porn (52). They may also be reluctant to seek help due to the shame and taboo associated with porn.
Young people with a history of sexual trauma
Young people with a history of sexual trauma may feel uncomfortable with, or traumatised by, what they have seen in porn because it has triggered past non-consensual sexual experiences. Watching porn can also be a trauma response for some young people, where they use porn to try and understand what happened to them. This can be a complex and confusing experience and referral to specialist support is advised.
Young people with chronic health issues and disabilities
These young people are twice as likely to watch porn for stress relief, or use it to help with sleep, or try something they have seen in porn. They are also four times more likely to watch porn to help with sadness and depression (41).
Rainbow young people
Rainbow youth report conflicting experiences with porn. For some, porn is considered a place to view diverse sexual representations, and to learn, explore and affirm their sexuality and/or gender. Rainbow young people are therefore twice as likely to become regular viewers and try things seen in porn (41).
Others report negative experiences, and special attention should be paid to Rainbow young people who go to porn to learn but have disturbing experiences. For some, ‘coming out’ or sharing their gender or sexuality identity at home or school may also not be safe, and if they have concerns around porn, it may be difficult to seek support.
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“When I was like, really young, I was exposed to porn and was like, questioning my sexuality … and I didn’t understand how lesbian porn is presented, and that it’s really nowhere near realistic and it’s so fetishised and sexualised. And it really caused a lot of issues for me.”
Bisexual Female, 17 years