Thread by @FightTheNewDrug

Fact-checking 10 common arguments about porn:

Common Argument: 1 “Porn actually decreases sexual violence.”

Some argue that porn has the potential to decrease sexual violence by providing a “healthy outlet” for people who would otherwise act out in sexually harmful ways, but research shows that this simply isn’t the case.

Common Argument: 1 ✅

In fact, research consistently shows that porn consumption is actually associated with increased sexual violence.

(Wright, Tokunaga, & Kraus, 2016)
(Rostad, Gittins-Stone, Huntington, Rizzo, Pearlman, & Orchowski, 2019)

Common Argument: 2 & 3
“Porn isn’t addictive” OR “Everyone who watches porn is addicted.”

✅While some people argue that porn can’t be an addiction, many experts and dozens of neuroscientific studies agree that pornography addiction is very real.

Common Argument: 2 & 3

✅ However, experts also note that the majority of porn consumers are not addicted. Even among those with compulsive pornography habits, many still do not qualify as addicts in a clinically diagnosable sense.

Common Argument: 2 & 3

Sources:

(Love, Laier, Brand, Hatch, & Hajela, 2015)
(Stark & Klucken, 2017)
(Willoughby, Young-Petersen, & Leonhardt, 2018)

Common Argument: 4
“Fight the New Drug wants to ban all forms of pornography.”

✅Since 2009, we've been a non-legislative organization, which means it's never been within our mission (or power) to ban porn.

Common Argument: 4

✅Trafficking and child exploitation, for example, are already illegal, yet because there is a demand for it, trafficking and child exploitation have continued for years. Shifting the culture through education and awareness, however, can help stop the demand.

Common Argument: 5 “Porn actually improves your sex life/relationship.”

✅ While some research suggests that watching porn with a partner can provide an initial spark in a relationship, longitudinal studies show that these short-term effects can become negative over time.

Common Argument: 5

✅According to one study that followed couples over time, porn consumption was the 2nd strongest predictor that a relationship would suffer.

✅Additionally, research consistently shows that frequent porn consumption is associated with sexual dissatisfaction

Common Argument: 5

Sources:

(Maddox, Rhoades, & Markman, 2011)
(Perry, 2017)
(Wright, Miezan, & Sun, 2019)
(Wright, Bridges, Sun, Ezzell , & Johnson, 2018)

Common Argument: 6 “The problem isn’t porn, it’s shame/stigma.”

✅Research shows that shame can absolutely play a role in fueling problematic porn habits, yet research also indicates that shame is not a significant predictor of compulsive pornography use on its own.

Common Argument: 6

✅In other words, shame does not solely explain the negative effects of porn.

Sources:
(Gilliland, South, Carpenter, & Hardy, 2011)
(Reid, Stein, & Carpenter, 2011)

Common Argument: 7 “Porn has been around forever, it’s not a ‘new drug.’”

✅ A still image centerfold magazines is nothing compared to the constant stream of hardcore, high-definition internet porn that anyone can stream anytime, anywhere, for free.

Common Argument: 7

✅ Today’s internet porn is incomparably more accessible, more affordable, more available, more anonymous, and more extreme than anything available before the internet.

(Voon, et al., 2014)

Common Argument: 8 “Mainstream porn is toxic but there’s ethical porn”

✅While the idea of “ethical porn” is well-intentioned, it’s important to recognize that it’s still virtually impossible to guarantee that the porn you’re watching is truly ethical, consensual, or even legal

Common Argument: 8

✅Even OnlyFans, for example, has been found to have serious issues with hosting nonconsensual content, abuse, and even child sexual abuse material.

(BBC News. Titheradge & Croxford, 2021)

Common Argument: 9

Most porn consumers are exposed to porn before they meet their partner, and those habits can be difficult to break.

Common Argument: 9

✅An individual’s porn habit is often reflective of deeper issues they may be experiencing, but their behaviors are never the fault or responsibility of their partner. You are enough, just the way you are.

(Stewart & Szymanski, 2012)

Common Argument: 10“Porn is sex-positive, and being against it is sex-negative.”

✅As a sex-positive organization, we’re here to tell you that an industry that glorifies a lack of consent, fetishizes race, and ignores mutual pleasure is not sex-positive.

Common Argument: 10

Not to mention, research consistently shows that porn consumption is associated with sexual dysfunction (for both men and women) and decreased sexual satisfaction.

That’s about as sex-negative as you can get.

This #GivingTuesday, we’re encouraging Fighters to help us continue to educate individuals on the harmful effects of pornography. Whether you can give $1, $10, $50, or $100, your donation makes a difference.⁠

fightthenewdrug.org/donate/