By Russ Warner, CEO of ContentWatch, makers of Net Nanny
Forty-three percent of Internet users look at pornography. The number of women who view pornography is also increasing. It seems a growing number of adults and teens believe that “just a little” pornography is not harmful. In my opinion, this statement is dangerous.
Pornography promotes an unrealistic view of sexuality. It glorifies sexual behavior that does not exist in the average person’s life. It degrades and objectifies women due to its focus on basal urges. Its viewers can not develop any significant emotional meaning from it.
Some might argue that occasional pornography viewing is psychologically harmless and even some will argue that it’s healthy. It’s likely that viewing pornography once or twice will probably not cause addiction or lasting affects. However, that also depends on the viewer and the images viewed.
On the other hand, researchers and addicts agree that regular viewing of pornography does effect a behavioral change. The more pornography you view, the more the brain requires that stimulation.
The stronger the urge to view, the more drastic variety of images and videos the addiction demands. To get the same level of satisfaction over time, the pornography purveyor has to view more often and for longer periods of time. The brain requires it. Thus, viewing pornography can have an effect.
When viewed excessively, it tends to keep addicts from creating healthy interactions with others, including simple social interactions.
Many addicts prefer pornography over having a positive sexual relationship. Some addicts are no longer aroused with human sexual contact. Some addicts can only get aroused with pornography.
Many addicts suffer with depression and anxiety. When trying to quit, addicts will suffer withdrawal.
Pornography reduces the emotional and glorifies the physical. A healthy sexual relationship between two loving adults is good and natural. Pornography viewing tends to dissociate the connection of sex in a loving, emotional relationship with a focus on the physical.
“Just a little” pornography may be the starting point, and it may not be the ending point, and its likely not going help the affected achieve a happy point.
