Compiled by Herb Scribner
Monday, June 9 2014
Deseret News National Edition
There’s now one fewer place you will see pornographic advertisements: Google.
Google explained back in March that sexually explicitly material would no longer be featured in their ad spaces. This is a move to improve the experience of the users, Google said.
“Under this policy, sexually explicit content will be prohibited, and guidelines will be clarified regarding promotion of other adult content,” Google explained. “The change will affect all countries. We made this decision as an effort to continually improve users’ experiences with AdWords. After the new policy goes into effect, the adult sexual services, family status, and underage or non-consensual sex acts policy pages will reflect this change.”
Though this was announced in March, Google recently sent out a letter to advertisers that confirmed the ads would be taken down later this month, according to pornharms.com.
“Beginning in the coming weeks, we’ll no longer accept ads that promote graphic depictions of sexual acts including, but not limited to, hardcore pornography; graphic sexual acts including sex acts such as masturbation; genital, anal and oral sexual activity,” the email said, according to Porn Harms. “When we make this change, Google will disapprove all ads and sites that are identified as being in violation of our revised policy.”
Porn Harms explained this is also a victory for them, as they met specifically with Google to talk over what the search engine company could do to help with the user experience.
“In May, we had a productive meeting with Google about how they can help protect individuals, families and children from exploitation,” Hysen Sisco wrote for Porn Harms. “Today, we are seeing the fruits of that meeting.”
This may also be an effort, though, to improve intelligence. Fingers were pointed at Google for dumbing down people’s memories. And, similarly, a study by JAMA Psychiatry found porn may reduce activity in the brain, Deseret News National reported.
Time magazine, too, reported on the study. While the study showed there’s a link between watching porn and brain size, the study didn’t identify key factors about who was watching the pornographic material or if the porn specifically creates smaller brain size and activity, Time reported.
“The results also show that the brain region activated when people view sexual stimuli is less active in men who watch a lot of pornography,” Time reported. “It also shows the part of the brain associated with processing rewards is smaller in men who view pornography more often.”
