The impact of Internet pornography on children and adolescents: A systematic review

Young people's exposure to online pornographic material has increased in the past years. Its impact is a complex topic but an important issue due to growing concerns. Therefore, we reviewed the literature on Internet pornography consumption and its impact on children and adolescents. Furthermore, we examined young people's thoughts about pornography and their reasons for consumption. We performed a systematic literature search in the online databases ERIC, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, and PSYNDEX for peer-reviewed articles in English, published between 2000 and 2022 and additionally identified secondary references. We could determine associations between pornography consumption and demographic variables (e.g., age, gender), personal characteristics (e.g., [sexual] sensation seeking, sexual interest and experience, general risk behavior), environmental variables (e.g., peers, family), attitudes (e.g., gender role attitudes, permissive sexual attitudes), behavior (e.g. sexual risk behaviour, sexting) and sexual aggression (e.g., sexual cybervictimization, grooming). Moreover, we found that girls have a more negative attitude towards pornography than boys who have an ambivalent opinion on the subject. Most adolescents are aware that the majority of pornographic material is exaggerated and unrealistic. Furthermore, pornography is not only watched out of curiosity and for sexual arousal but also used as a source of sexual information, especially by minority groups. Many effects that impair children's development have been documented. The results found in this review are often contradictory. Therefore, further replication studies are needed. In addition, we propose several preventive measures, e.g., sexual health education at schools for both heterosexuals and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) people. Ces dernières années, les enfants et les adolescents ont été de plus en plus exposés au matériel pornographique sur Internet. Cela suscite de grandes inquiétudes quant à l’impact de la pornographie sur l’attitude et le comportement des jeunes. C’est pourquoi nous décrivons l’état actuel de la consommation de pornographie sur Internet et ses effets sur les enfants et les adolescents. En outre, nous discutons l’attitude et les sentiments des enfants et des adolescents à l’égard de la pornographie et les raisons de son utilisation. Une recherche systématique a été menée dans les bases de données de littérature en ligne ERIC, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, et PSYNDEX