Cosmopolitan Website: 2016-2018
Cosmopolitan: Website
2018
When you go to Cosmopolitan’s website and click on “Love” in the top menu it takes you to a webpage about sex positions, which contain graphic sex descriptions. There is no age-gate or warning.
2016 Pornography-Related and
Other Sexually Explicit Content
Trigger Warning: The articles cited here are proof of the sexually explicit content on Cosmopolitan’s website, and are necessarily sexually explicit in nature and cover wide-ranging themes of pornography, prostitution, and sexual acts. Some articles may include explicit images (although we’ve attempted to omit hyperlinks to the articles with the most explicit material). Reader discretion is advised.
We Went to Blow Job School, and this is What We Learned
December 27, 2016
About how to give a man a blow job, by “sexpert” Master Dominic who states, “Why should you listen to me? Well I’ve had two in the bum, two in the mouth and one in each hand.”
6 Guys Reveal What It’s Really Like to Buy a Sex Toy for their Partner
December 23
Openly discusses the fun of buying your partner sex toys, especially around this festive season, which includes bondage and anal toys.
Welp, This Child’s Baby Doll Toy is Definitely Making “Sex” Noises
December 19, 2016
British mom is reporting that the “Cry Baby” doll she bought her two-year-old daughter for Christmas makes “sex noises” instead of crying noises.
10 TV Sex Scenes That Were Burned Into Your Brain in 2016
December 13, 2016
Includes discussions of group and violent sex.
11 Orgasmic Sex Toys the World Was Blessed With in 2016
December 8, 2016
A list of the year’s greatest sex toys, promoting them as “must haves.
“11 Quiet Sex Toys for Sneaky Sex in Your Parents’ House”
December 6, 2016
Advertises sex toys, and includes juvenile descriptions of sexual antics.
“Here’s What Happened When I Filmed Unicorn Porn”
December 6, 2016
Explicitly details pornography production, including BDSM material and attempts to normalize “tapping into our spirit animals” and having sex while dressed as a unicorn.
“4 People Get Super Honest About Long-Distance Sex”
December 5, 2016
Presents risky sex practices such as “skype” sex, phone sex, sending nudes over Snapchat, sexting, and videos of each other masturbating as “healthy practices” for long-distance relationships.
“I Sexted My Husband Every Day for a Week and Here’s What Happened”
December 5, 2016
Explicit sexual discussion normalizing sexting.
December 5, 2016
Includes several pictures and descriptions of male objectification.
“5 Positions That Are Even Better With Gym Equipment”
November 30, 2016
Includes cartoon-like images and explanations for different sex positions.
“9 Things You Should Know About Porn Addiction”
November 28, 2016
Refers to discredited research studies, ignores 27 neurological and 10 reviews of literature that affirm pornography addiction, and relays incorrect information about effects of pornography on relationships.
“12 People Share Their Anal Horror Stories”
November 8, 2016
Explicitly describes 12 accounts of anal sex.
“5 Election Sex Positions Perfect for Rocking the Vote All Night Long”
November 8, 2016
Includes cartoon-like images and puerile explanations for different sex positions.
“How BDSM Helped Me through a Traumatic Childbirth”
October 31, 2016
Normalizes and encourages BDSM [bondage, discipline, sadism & masochism]. A former professional dominatrix recounts how she used her experiences with pain in BDSM as a “coping tactic” that helped with childbirth.
“Halloween Sex Positions That Will Satisfy All Your Cravings”
October 31, 2016
Includes cartoon-like illustrations and juvenile explanations for different sex positions.
“5 Camping Sex Positions that Will Ignite Your Passion for the Great Outdoors.”
October 26, 2016
Includes graphic illustrations and explanations for different sex positions.
“5 Things That Happen Behind the Scenes at Hollywood’s Most Elite Sex Club”
October 23, 2016
Glamorizes a Hollywood Sex Party.
“Here’s What 7 People Actually Bring to Sex Parties”
October 20, 2016
Normalizes sex parties, group sex, and multiple-partner relationships.
“You Have Got to Check Out the Fifty Shades Darker Sex Toys”
October 20, 2016
Promotes the Fifty Shades of Grey sequel and line of sex toys including vibrators, nipple clamps, anal plugs, and even a ‘replica’ of the bow tie Christian uses to tie up Ana.
“You Have Got to Check Out the Fifty Shades Darker Sex Toys”
October 20, 2016
Promotes the Fifty Shades of Grey sequel and line of sex toys including vibrators, nipple clamps, anal plugs, and even a ‘replica’ of the bow tie Christian uses to tie up Ana.
“Sex Workers Open Up About Their Most Expensive Service”
October 7, 2016
Normalizes “The Girlfriend Experience” and prostitution as “sex work.”
October 6, 2016
“12 BDSM-Style Sex Toys You’ve Got To Try”
Promotes bondage-style sex and toys.
“Someone Is Selling a Literal Vagina Mask on Etsy, Just in Time for Halloween”
October 3, 2016
Playfully discusses the “face-vag” mask now available on Etsy.
“Watch the First Trailer for the Erotic Thriller Starring ‘Pretty Little Liars’ Bae Keegan Allen”
September 27, 2016
Promotes the new James Franco film King Kobra about the real-life murder of gay-porn producer Bryan Kocis.
“9 Things to Know Before Going to a Sex Party”
September 27, 2016
Discusses orgies and things “you need to know” before participating in one.
“The Sex Every Twentysomething Woman Has Had”
September 25, 2016
Trivializes the consequences of hook-up sex.
“What It’s Really Like to Have a Threesome”
August 29, 2016
Article normalizing group sex.
“Turns Out Sext Sharing Is a Helluva Lot More Common Than You Thought”
August 8, 2016
Discusses the dangers of sexting (self-produced sexually explicit images), but says that “the real risk is not the sending of sexual messages and images per se, but rather the non-consensual distribution of those materials to other parties.”
“Is Porn the Answer to Zika in Rio?”
August 3, 2016
Trivializes the threat of the Zika virus at the Olympics and promotes a pornography website.
“Straight Women Explain Why They Like Watching Lesbian Porn”
August 1, 2016
Purports that it’s increasingly “acceptable” for women to watch pornography, and reports that many watch lesbian pornography.
11 Anal Foreplay Tips for the Beginner
July 26, 2016
Gives instructions for those new to anal sex.
“10 Guys Describe the Time They Had Best Sex of Their Lives”
July 19, 2016
Presents the sexual exploits of ten men.
“19 Celebrities Share Their Thoughts on Porn”
July 19, 2016
Presents numerous quotes from celebrities promoting and normalizing pornography.
“Have You Ever Wondered What It’s Like to Be a Porn Star?”
July 7, 2016
Normalizes pornography consumption.
“Elevate Your Porn: The 12 Best Sex Podcasts”
July 1, 2016
Describes podcasts featuring sexually explicit material.
“9 Porn Stars-Approved Pegging Tips”
June 27, 2016
Gives detailed instructions on anal penetration.
“Sex Talk Realness: BDSM”
June 27, 2016
An article characterizing BDSM as a normal sexual practice.
“10 Guys Reveal the Movie Sex Scene That Turns Them on The Most”
June 21, 2016
Includes some of the actual pornographic clips from the movies and detailed explanations of the sex scenes.
“11 Guys Get Real About Why They Send Dick Pics”
June 21, 2016
Minimalizes and normalizes sexting.
“14 Things Women Want You to Know About One-Night Stands”
June 14, 2016
Encourages having “one-night stands” eliminating any form of commitment, despite the risks.
“5 Porn Stars Give Mind-Blowing 69ing Tips”
June 13, 2016
A detailed description of the “69” sex position.
“Porn Stars Explain Sex the Difference between Sex for Work and Sex IRL”
June 2, 2016
Portrays pornography performers’ experiences as a career and explains how the sex acts they perform on camera differ from their actual sex lives.
“The 17 Best Porn Sites from Women”
June 1, 2016
Advertises and encourages women to consume pornography.
“11 Best Porn Sites for Lesbians”
May 30, 2016
Includes several details and images advertising pornography websites.
“5 BDSM Sex Positions to Unleash Your Kinky Side”
May 25, 2016
Encourages demonstrating power and control during sexual intercourse.
“The Porn Reality Series is Here and Features Competitive BJs”
May 22, 2016
Normalizes a “reality show” featuring 16 pornography performers in which they compete against each other for $1 million.
“Pornhub Wants to Turn Your Sex Routine into a Workout”
May 19, 2016
Advertises how Pornhub is encouraging sex as a form of “working out.”
“Gwyneth Paltrow Wants You to Have the Most Expensive Orgasm of Your Life”
May 11, 2016
A review of Gwyneth Paltrow’s sex toy recommendations.
“How Porn Brought My Mom and I Together”
May 9, 2016
The Author’s mother discovers that she’s involved in pornography, but this fact purportedly deepened their relationship.
“12 People Reveal the First Time They Tried Something They Never Thought They Would During Sex”
April 28, 2016
Includes accounts that discuss using handcuffs, reenacting porn scenes, and having group sex.
“8 Batsh*t Crazy Coachella Hookup Stories”
April 26, 2016
Individuals recount stories of their sexual encounters at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
“Now You can Finally Use Emojis to Order Porn”
April 20, 2016
Advertises and promotes Pornhub’s new emoji mobile video delivery service for ordering pornography.
“7 Batsh*t Crazy Coachella Sex Stories”
April 17, 2016
Individuals recount stories of their sexual encounters at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
“Watch Porn Stars Describe Their Ideal Penis”
April 1, 2016
Explicit and detailed descriptions of men’s genitalia.
“People Who Watch Porn Are More Likely to Treat Women As Equals”
March 3, 2016
Uses one study to normalize porn by claiming that pornography users hold egalitarian views of women.
“The Most-Searched Porn Term in America Will Not Surprise You”
March 2, 2016
Discussion normalizes searching for stepsister and stepmom pornography.
“What It’s Really Like to Be a Lesbian Porn Star”
March 2, 2016
Normalizes getting paid for sex as a job.
“Porn Performers Won’t Be Forced to Wear Condoms in California”
February 19, 2016
Biased reporting on the failed ballot initiative in California to require pornography performers wear condoms.
“I Gave Up My Corporate Job to Be a Porn Star”
February 19, 2016
Normalizes the notion of women giving up corporate jobs to become pornography performers.
“Here’s How Much 1 Porn Bigwig Would Pay for the Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian Sex Tape”
January 31, 2016
Trivializes and normalizes Larry Flint’s proposal to Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian offering to pay them to make a porn film.
January 30, 2016
Discusses the memoir of a man whose father who wrote nearly 400 pornography novels.
“The 3 Craziest New Products from the 2016 AVN Porn Convention”
January 25, 2016
Article discusses popular sex novelty items from the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo including sprays intended to make underwear smell used, as well adult diapers and rubber nipples (normalizing so-called age-play).
“Watch Porn Stars Give Guys the Best Tinder Advice”
January 13, 2016
Pornography performers review male Tinder profiles.
“People Are So Horny for Mom Porn”
January 8, 2016
Normalizes pornography viewing and incest-themed search terms.
“Are You Guys All Skipping Work to Watch Porn or What?”
January 7, 2016
Normalizes pornography viewing and major pornography portal.