Saudi Arabia Funds Initiative Against 'Porn Addiction'

Saudi Arabia Funds Initiative Against 'Porn Addiction'

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched a new website as part of a government public health initiative known as “Effah,” which claims to help people “get rid of pornography addiction” in 100 days.

Saud Al Hassani, director of the Effah “psychological counseling program” launched in 2019 by the theocratic, family-ruled kingdom, explained to Gulf media that the new website “will include specialized psychological models and lessons to help get rid of pornography addiction, in addition to a ‘Ten Steps’ program, and a ‘women’s recovery model.’”

Health experts have overwhelmingly debunked the notion of “pornography addiction” as a medical ailment, finding instead a meaningful correlation between religious, shame-based indoctrination about human sexuality, and compulsory behaviors concerning exposure to sexual imagery.

Al Hassani added that the Effah website “offers treatment for porn addiction based on a systematic model and three key pillars: cognitive behavioral therapy, spiritual therapy and a safe support environment” and will eradicate “porn addiction” after 100 days.

Efah is a Quranic name for girls that means “modesty,” “chastity,” “abstaining from all bad things” and “moral excellence.”

“The website will also explain the damaging effects of pornography, and why we have not been able to stop it so far, and will clarify the steps of recovery based on Islamic teachings,” a rep explained. “It will also feature gifts, prizes, interactive weekly meetings for support and assistance, and will share success stories of those who have successfully beaten pornography addiction.”

Echoing religiously motivated anti-porn groups in the U.S. and Europe, Al Hassani said that pornography is “an issue that affects human values, psychological health and productivity and can also lead to fueling harassment and violence.”

The Saudi bureaucrat also claimed that “a third of internet content is pornographic.”

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

Australian eSafety Commissioner Demands Stricter Child Protection Codes

Australia’s online safety regulator, eSafety, is once again reviewing a “final” draft of industry codes to protect children from pornography and other age-inappropriate content, after eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant rejected the previously announced “final” codes as insufficiently stringent.

Liz Flynt Debuts 'Hustler: 50 Years of Freedom' Book

Liz Flynt has released her new retrospective book, “Hustler: 50 Years of Freedom.”

Nerdgasm: A Look at the Naughty Side of Pop Culture Geekdom

From “Call of Duty” to cosplay, from tabletop dice rolls to dungeon-inspired dirty talk, the worlds of geek fandom and fantasy are no longer confined to the basement. They’ve kicked down the door, shed the “Firefly” tee and gone full frontal.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Moves to Outlaw Internet Pornography

A parliamentary committee of the Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday approved a measure to outlaw online adult content in the country.

Sweden Bans Purchase of 'Remote' Sexual Services

The Riksdag, Sweden’s parliament, has approved a proposal to criminalize purchasing sexual services performed remotely by streamers and custom content creators.

Asa Akira to Deliver XBIZ Talk at Miami Conference

XBIZ is pleased to announce that decorated performer, Pornhub brand ambassador, and author Asa Akira is set to deliver an exclusive talk at XBIZ Miami.

JustFor.fans Launches 'Fentanyl Test Strip' Initiative

JustFor.fans (JFF) has launched a test strip initiative to combat the nationwide fentanyl crisis.

2025 XBIZ Miami Speaker Lineup Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the release of the full speaker lineup for XBIZ Miami, the latest edition of the adult industry’s premier summer conference, set to take place May 19-22 at the Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach hotel in South Beach.

AV Bulletin: Arizona's About-Face, What New Laws Mean for Adult

Industry stakeholders and free speech advocates have anxiously been awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, which could significantly impact state age verification laws around the United States. In the meantime, state legislatures continue to weigh and pass AV bills, the U.K. and the EU are moving ahead with their own AV mandates and strategies, and legal challenges continue to play out in U.S. courts — with some cases on hold pending the SCOTUS ruling in Paxton.

Million Billion Media Launches New Website

Management and PR agency Million Billion Media (MBM) has launched a new website.

Show More