Unwanted and Wanted Exposure to Online Pornography in a National Sample of Youth Internet Users

Abstract

More research concerning the potential impact of Internet pornography on youth is warranted, given the high rate of exposure, the fact that much exposure is unwanted, and the fact that youth with certain vulnerabilities, such as depression, interpersonal victimization, and delinquent tendencies, have more exposure.

Perceived Realism Moderates the Relation Between Sexualized Media Consumption and Permissive Sexual Attitudes in Dutch Adolescents

“…Male adolescents and adults generally report more sexualized media use (Brown & L'Engle, 2009;Wolak et al, 2007) than female adolescents, react more positively to these media (Allen et al, 2007;Hald & Malamuth, 2008), and find this material more entertaining and informative (Taris, Semin, & Bok, 1998;Ward & Rivadeneyra, 1999). Considering that sexualized media offer scripts that portray a more active or permissive role for men than for women (Aubrey, 2004;Tolman, 1999), it might be that the relation between sexualized media consumption and permissive sexual attitudes is stronger for male adolescents than for female adolescents.…”

“…Adolescents in Western cultures are confronted daily with sexual images and storylines in magazines, television shows, and on the Internet (Wolak, Mitchell, & Finkelhor, 2007). Among an American national sample of 13-18 year olds, 63% of boys and 40% of girls reported actively seeking sexual content in their media choices (Bleakley, Hennessy, & Fishbein, 2011).…”

Prevalence of child victimization, abuse, crime, and violence exposure.

“…The NCVS is a survey conducted every year by the U.S. Census Bureau that interviews nearly 10,000 youths ages 12 to 17 years. The NatSCEV was (Wolak, Mitchell, & Finkelhor, 2007); PCAA = Prevent Child Abuse America (Daro, 1999); ABC News Poll (Crandall, 2002).…”

Principles for the wise use of computers by children

“…A US study of 1500 Internet users aged 10-17 years found that 42% had been exposed to pornography on their computer and two-thirds of this was unwanted exposure (Wolak et al 2007). The use of filtering software and attendance at an Internet safety course presented by a police officer or similar offered some protection.…”