Findings from new study on sexual minority adolescents (ages 14-17):
- Almost all use porn, a lot.
- Porn greatly influences how they think about—and behave—sexually.
- Viewing risky sexual behaviors in porn was associated with actual sexual behavior in real-life.
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Abstract
Nelson, K.M., Perry, N.S. & Carey, M.P.
Arch Sex Behav (2019).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-019-01501-3
Adolescent sexual minority males (ASMM; < 18 years old) do not typically receive sexual education that addresses male–male relationships from traditional sources (i.e., school, parents). Therefore, many rely on sexually explicit online media (SEOM; i.e., pornography) to find sexual health information. The current study describes SEOM use by ASMM in the U.S. and examined the association between exposure to condomless anal sex (CAS) in SEOM and engagement in CAS. In 2017, ASMM (N = 206; M age = 16, range: 14–17; 51% racial/ethnic minorities) from across the U.S. completed an online sexual health survey, including questions about SEOM use and sexual behaviors. Most (86%) reported that they had viewed SEOM. Engagement with SEOM was frequent (86% reported viewing ≥ one time per week) and lengthy (70% reported viewing for ≥ 15 min per session). Youth perceived that SEOM influenced how they, and other ASMM, think and behave sexually. Further, exposure to risky sexual behavior in SEOM appeared to be associated with youths’ dyadic sexual behavior. To support the healthy sexual development of ASMM, it is important to acknowledge the near-universal use of SEOM by ASMM, to identify ways to maximize its potential value, and to minimize potential harms.
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