What is the Effect of the Porn Industry on Teenage Psychology

Introduction

The internet has become a staple in most households and provides unlimited access to various content, some inappropriate for teenagers, such as porn. Studies have shown that exposure to porn can negatively affect a teenager’s mental development and socialization [1]. Let us take an in-depth look at the effect of the porn industry on teenage psychology.

Understanding the bitter truth of the porn industry and teenage psychology

A general notion is that no one is getting harmed while filming porn and that porn stars love what they do. Teenagers believe that it is a dream job as they are enjoying sex and getting paid too! But it is far from the truth. Almost all the porn industry workers who have quit the industry have countless horror tales. Sexual assault, violence, and exploitation are some bitter truths of the porn industry. 
Alex, an ex-porn star, still shudders with the memories of filming a famous scene where the male actor was supposed to be a women hater, so he was very violent towards them. Alex had thought that it would be like a punch or something, but, during the scene, he continuously hit her with a solid gold ring. She was in so much pain that she stopped the shoot midway. 
Jessie recounts how they forced her to shoot for hours for an interactive DVD even when she was suffering from a high fever of 104 degrees. 
Additionally, drugs and alcohol form an inherent part of the porn industry. Andi shares that while working in the porn industry, within a year, she began partying recklessly and drinking heavily, and drugs like cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy became her favorite. She became a person she didn’t want to be and suffered from extreme anxiety and depression.
Professionals in the porn industry do not get the respect that people working in other industries get, and they always have to face a degrading attitude from society.

What is the effect of the porn industry on teenage psychology?

Some ways porn can affect teenage mentality include:

1. A warped view of relationships and sexuality
   1. Porn films show sex as just an act for pleasure without the need for any emotional involvement. Porn shows sex as a means of instant gratification without participating in any love or compassion or the necessity of sticking with a single partner. Adolescents may believe that sex is just a physical act for pleasure, and feelings or consent of the partner don’t matter. This belief system can harm their future relationships.
2. Distorted body image:  Porn stars have almost perfect body statistics, which most men and women don’t.
3. Desensitization to violence:  A study found that 80% of the videos showed violence against women during sexual acts. Surprisingly, in 95% of these clips, women responded neutrally or positively, sending the message to teenagers that violence and sex go together and are acceptable. It dramatically increases the risk of them causing a sexual assault.
4. Increased anxiety and depression: The majority of the teenagers who watch porn suffer from guilt as they watch it hiding from their parents and know it is wrong.
5. It is difficult to concentrate and focus on schoolwork, poor academic performance, and grades.
6. They lose interest in hobbies and outdoor activities.
7. Angry outbursts. Guilt, anxiety, and depression are the underlying cause of this.
8. Withdrawal from friends and family. Teenagers addicted to porn mostly want to stay alone and avoid socialization.
9. There is a change in eating or sleeping habits. Watching porn at night results in late waking, so a disturbance happens in the sleep cycle and other day-to-day routines.
10. Substance abuse. One addiction often leads to another. It is a vicious cycle. A study[2] showed that 58% of sex addicts admitted to substance abuse.

What is the primary reason for teenage psychology to love porn?

1. Adolescence brings a host of changes in the body, including hormone spikes and the development of secondary sexual characteristics. 
2. Adolescent boys and girls are most vulnerable during this phase and are still figuring out their sexuality. Due to the inexpensive and easy access to porn on the internet, they find it the most comfortable place to get answers to their newfound urges and understand sex.
3. During adolescence, the brain’s sensitivity to dopamine is at its peak, as is the brain’s neuroplasticity, making it most vulnerable to conditioning and addiction. When exposed to compelling images, such as that of porn, dopamine, which is a “feel good” hormone, is released in large quantities. They get a “high” like that seen with drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Repeated exposure quickly results in addiction. 
4. Many teenagers love to watch adult content because it makes them feel more grown-up. It may also be a way to rebel against their parents or other authority figures. Additionally, some teens believe that watching this type of content will help them learn more about sex and relationships. 
5. They may even share the porn sites among their friends and use them as an easy way to become famous.

How do we avoid the harmful effects of the porn industry on teenage psychology?

Studies have shown that continued, long-term exposure to porn shrinks the grey matter in the brain and affects its structure and function. Thus, it is crucial to protect teenagers from the harmful effects of porn. Quitting porn is difficult, but not impossible! 

1. Teenagers need to understand that the porn industry, which looks glamorous, fun, and exciting, is as fake as WWE.
2. Sex education at school and at home by the parents is the most effective way to save them from the clasps of this dangerous addiction. 
3. Once teenagers understand the science behind their urge to watch porn, they will not feel guilty. They should be aware of the facts and how watching porn can affect them mentally and physically. They would want to quit it then, which is the most critical first step. No medication can make an addict give up the addiction. Only willpower makes it possible.
4. Parents should install filters on the child’s mobile and laptop to block their access to age-inappropriate content. Net Nanny, WebWatcher, and Covenant Eyes are some examples of such software programs. 

 There are also apps, like Bark, which make it possible for parents to monitor their child’s online activity.

What we should do to take care of mental health when the porn industry affects teenage psychology

1. Interestingly, access to the internet, which is the reason behind porn exposure, can also be a tool to recover from porn addiction. There are several online resources such as apps and support forums designed specifically for issues related to online pornography. Reboot Nation and NoFap are online communities that provide the much-needed education and encouragement to help overcome porn addiction. They host challenges such as the maximum number of days you can abstain from watching porn and masturbation. They also have YouTube channels.
2. Healthcare professionals such as sex therapists and counselors should understand the problems associated with porn addiction and ways to overcome them. Thus, you should not hesitate to seek professional help.
3. Participating in healthy activities that you enjoy or keeping yourself busy with a hobby can help you keep distracted from the urge to watch porn, and slowly you will be able to give it up completely.
4. Avoid staying alone so that you are not able to watch porn even if you wish to. Family and friends can play an essential role in helping the teenager quit porn by increasing socialization with him.

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Conclusion

Porn should not become the source of sex education for teenagers, which will distort their views about sexuality. Instead, the parents must have open communication with their teenage children, answer their queries, make them comfortable with their sexuality, and impart correct knowledge about sex.
It is essential to monitor teenagers’ online activities and employ search filters because inappropriate content is harmful to their age. If you see any warning signs in your child’s behavior, do not hesitate to talk to them and even seek professional help from a counselor if required.

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References

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