A Health Education Website Developed to Meet Young People’s Information Needs About Web-Based Pornography and Sharing of Sexually Explicit Imagery (SCOPE): Usability Study

Abstract

Background Although we know that many young people watch online pornography and engage in sexting, there is limited literature examining their needs in relation to information on these highly sensitive and complex issues. Online resources exist; however, we can find no evidence of any of them having been formally tested for usability within the target population. Objective This study aimed to test the usability of a resource about online pornography and sexting among young people. Methods Semistructured interviews were conducted with 17 participants aged 15 to 29 years. Results We found that the SCOPE resource was perceived as trustworthy and credible because of its evidence-based content, nonjudgmental tone, and balanced perspectives. Multimedia and video content enhanced the layout and usability of the resource; however, content relevance could be improved by targeting age and developmental stages. Participants identified resource sections such as Real Stories from young people as relevant and engaging. However, they raised issues with the translation of formative research findings relating to these stories into their final presentation. Conclusions Our findings suggest that young people prefer online resources about complex issues, such as online pornography and sexting, if they are balanced in content and tone. Most importantly, in the context of responding to complex and sensitive issues such as these, co-design methods can ensure that young people are central to the development of resources and avoid gaps in translating research into practice. In the context of limited literature focusing on the usability of online resources about these topics, this paper provides important insights for public health practitioners working in this emerging space.

Associations between pornography exposure, body image and sexual body image: A systematic review

“…In these studies, data was obtained during workshops using a semi-structured format (Dawson et al, 2020), semi-structured interviews (Leickly et al, 2017; Sharp and Oates, 2019), and focus group interviews (Mattebo et al, 2012). Two studies used a mixed qualitative and quantitative methodology with closed-ended and open-ended questions (Davis et al, 2019; Laemmle-Ruff et al, 2019). The rest of the studies were quantitative.…”

“…The studies included a total of 29,881 participants. Seven studies included only females (Davis et al, 2019; Dogan and Yassa, 2019; Laemmle-Ruff et al, 2019; Sharp et al, 2016; Truong et al, 2017; Tylka and Calogero, 2019; Tylka and Kroon Van Diest, 2014), 11 only included males (Duggan and McCreary, 2004; Griffiths et al, 2018; Kvalem et al, 2016; Leickly et al, 2017; Morrison et al, 2007; O’Brien et al, 2015; Prokop, 2016; Sevic et al, 2020; Sharp and Oates, 2019; Tylka, 2015; Whitfield et al, 2018), and the remaining eight contained mixed gender samples (Albright, 2008; Cranney, 2015; Dawson et al, 2020; Doornwaard et al, 2014; Goldsmith et al, 2017; Mattebo et al, 2012; Peter and Valkenburg, 2014; Vogels, 2019).…”

“…Adolescents were the target population in four studies (Doornwaard et al, 2014; Sevic et al, 2020; O’Brien et al, 2015; Mattebo et al, 2012), young adults or college students were included in seven studies (Davis et al, 2019; Dawson et al, 2020; Goldsmith et al, 2017; Prokop, 2016; Tylka, 2015; Tylka and Kroon Van Diest, 2014; Vogels, 2019), and adults were studied in 14 studies (Albright, 2008; Cranney, 2015; Dogan and Yassa, 2019; Duggan and McCreary, 2004; Griffiths et al, 2018; Kvalem et al, 2016; Laemmle-Ruff et al, 2019; Leickly et al, 2017; Morrison et al, 2007; Sharp et al, 2016; Sharp and Oates, 2019; Truong et al, 2017; Tylka and Calogero, 2019; Whitfield et al, 2018). One study included adolescents, young adults, and adults (Peter and Valkenburg, 2014).…”

A Digital Pornography Literacy Resource Co-Designed With Vulnerable Young People: Development of "The Gist"

“…Research has illustrated limitations to traditional approaches to intervention design, which involve engagement with target users in research to inform content development by subject matter or technical experts rather than by engaging end users throughout the process as equal partners in design [ 39 , 56 , 57 ]. Where topics are particularly complex or sensitive, asking young people to engage in one-on-one interviews or even focus groups may be ethically sensitive and/or increase social desirability bias.…”

A Digital Pornography Literacy Resource Co-Designed With Vulnerable Young People: Development of "The Gist" (Preprint)

“…Research has illustrated limitations to traditional approaches to intervention design, which involve engagement with target users in research to inform content development by subject matter or technical experts rather than by engaging end users throughout the process as equal partners in design [39,56,57]. Where topics are particularly complex or sensitive, asking young people to engage in one-on-one interviews or even focus groups may be ethically sensitive and/or increase social desirability bias.…”