Study: Porn Has Small Effect on Sexual Behavior

WASHINGTON — A new study shows that viewing sexually explicit content on websites may not influence whether a young adult will have risky sex or lots of partners.

According to a report released in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, watching porn only affects sexual behavior in a negligible way. Other influences such as personality type, educational and family background and poverty hold more girth than viewing sexually explicit material.

The study, led by Gert Martin Hald of the Department of Public Health at the University of Copenhagen,  found that 88 percent of the young men and 45 percent of young women had viewed sexually explicit media over the past 12 months.

They surveyed 4,600 young people between the ages of 15 and 25 living in the Netherlands during 2008-2009. Sexual behaviors were broken down  into three areas — adventurous sex like threesomes or sex with someone met online; partner experience, such as one-night stands; and transactional sex, involving payment for sex

Increased viewing of  porn was associated with a greater likelihood that young adults would say “yes” to one or more of these behaviors.  

"Our data suggest that other factors such as personal dispositions -- specifically sexual sensation seeking -- rather than consumption of sexually explicit material  may play a more important role in a range of sexual behaviors of adolescents and young adults, and that the effects of sexually explicit media on sexual behaviors in reality need to be considered in conjunction with such factors," Hald said in a press release.

The study was funded by the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Penthouse Names Hazel Winters August's 'Pet of the Month'

Penthouse Magazine has named Hazel Winters as Pet of the Month for August.

Bree Mills Wraps Production on Pure Taboo Thriller 'The Secrets We Share'

Adult Time has announced that production has wrapped on the thriller, "The Secrets We Share," written and directed by studio CCO Bree Mills.

Evil Angel Drops Angelo Godshack's 'Hardcore Gangbangs 4'

Evil Angel has released director Angelo Godshack’s “Hardcore Gangbangs 4.”

European Commission to Assess Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX Compliance With Digital Services Act

The European Commission plans to conduct a study to determine how well adult sites Pornhub, XVideos and XNXX are addressing illegal content and other potential harms under the EU’s Digital Services Act.

Sabien DeMonia Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Sabien DeMonia stars with Jordi El Nino Polla and Danny D in the latest release from Brazzers, titled “Double Stuffed Sabien.”

Connie Perignon Makes Her Deeper Debut

Connie Perignon has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint Deeper, alongside Kazumi and Anton Hardon in “Bare Witness.”

German Higher Court Upholds Ban on PornHub, YouPorn

The Higher Administrative Court of Rhineland-Palatinate on Thursday upheld a “network ban” on Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn for failing to comply with German age verification regulations.

Kaci Kennedy Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Creator Kaci Kennedy stars with her husband Dakota Sexton and Chocolate Rod in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

Bad Bella Makes Her New Sensations Debut

Bad Bella has made her New Sensations debut, starring alongside Danny Mountain.

Alabama Notifying Adult Sites of New Tax Set to Take Effect Sept. 1

The Alabama Department of Revenue has begun sending notices to adult site operators about a new 10% tax on their revenues, set to be enforced starting Sept. 1.

Show More