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When we talk about whether porn is bad for you, it's important to understand what pornography actually is. Pornography, or porn, refers to materials like videos or images that display sexual content. They're intended to arouse viewers sexually and are usually found on the internet or in magazines. As young people, especially from 12-17, you may hear about or even stumble upon pornography through the internet, friends, or elsewhere. It's a topic that comes with many questions, especially about its impact on viewers.

Understanding the Effects of Pornography

Firstly, it's crucial to know how pornography can affect your brain. Watching porn can influence your brain somewhat like how some people react to addictive substances. It can trigger the release of certain chemicals in your brain, such as dopamine, which gives you a temporary feeling of pleasure. Because of this, some people may find themselves wanting to watch more of it to get that feeling again. However, this can also lead to unrealistic expectations about what sex is really like. Porn often shows exaggerated or false representations of sexual activity, which aren't anything like real life. This can skew your understanding of healthy relationships and sex, which are usually built on respect, consent, and mutual enjoyment. It is important that you don't look at porn for guidance on sex or what is acceptable or normal.

Pornography's Impact on Relationships and Self-Image

Viewing pornography at a young age can also affect how you see yourself and others. It might change your expectations of what your body should look like or how you should behave sexually. This can lead to body image issues or unrealistic concepts about intimacy. Additionally, your relationships might be impacted. If your ideas of sex are largely influenced by porn, it could complicate your future relationships. You might expect things that your partner isn't comfortable with or isn't interested in, which can lead to misunderstandings or discomfort. Always remember, porn is not real, it is designed to excite the viewer but it is no more reliable or real than the CGI effects you would see in a Hollywood movie when aliens are blowing up the world.

How Can Porn Influence Mental Health?

Your mental health can be influenced too. Some people might feel guilty or ashamed after watching porn. This can be especially true if you're brought up in a culture or family that sees porn as taboo. The secrecy often associated with watching porn can also contribute to feelings of loneliness or anxiety.

Creating a Balance and Protecting Yourself

Understanding and managing your exposure to pornography is important. Here are a few strategies that might help:

• Curiosity is normal, but be conscious: It's natural to be curious about sex and related topics at your age. However, try to approach these subjects through reliable and educational sources rather than porn. This could include books, reliable websites designed for sexual education, or discussions with a trusted adult.
• Think about your feelings: How do you feel after watching porn? If you feel upset, uncomfortable, or distressed, it might be a sign to reassess your interaction with such content.
• Develop a critical mindset: Ask yourself whether what you're viewing seems realistic or if it's shaping your expectations unrealistically. Being able to distinguish between reality and fantasy is crucial.
• Discuss it: If you have questions or uncertainties about sex and relationships, consider speaking openly with a trusted adult â like a parent, older sibling, or teacher. They can provide you with accurate information and guidance.
• Stay safe online: Be mindful of your online activity. Ensure your privacy settings are secure, and be cautious about clicking on links that could lead to harmful content.

Talking to Adults and Seeking Accurate Information

If you're unsure or curious about anything related to sex, it's much safer to rely on accurate and educational sources than pornography. Counsellors, parents, and teachers can provide support and factual information which can help you build a healthier perspective. Remember, it's okay to ask questions. Being well-informed helps you make safer and more conscious decisions. And if you feel overwhelmed or confused about sexual information, reaching out to trusted adults can help guide you with advice that's in your best interest. In conclusion, while pornography itself is a complex issue, the main problems arise from how it might shape your expectations and understanding of sex and relationships. Knowing how to approach sexual content critically and getting your information from reliable sources are key steps in protecting your mental health and developing a realistic perspective on intimacy and personal relationships.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

• Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
• The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
• Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.