![](\"https:\/\/www.relationships.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/RAsurveyFeb2018fig01.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIn 2016 the Australian Institute of Family Studies reviewed contemporary literature relating to young people\u2019s experience of online pornography (AIFS, 2016).\u00a0 The review found increasing exposure and associated harmful impacts on young people over the past three decades due to a proliferation of violent pornographic material available online, and enhanced opportunity for effortless access through increased internet speeds and the availability of hand held devices.\u00a0 This increased ease of access to online pornography has also contributed to the likelihood of children\u2019s accidental exposure.<\/p>\n
While research in this area is difficult due to ethical considerations related to conducting research into pornography with child subjects, available evidence suggests that exposure to online pornography by children and young people increases harmful gender stereotypes; unhealthy and sexist views of women and sex; higher rates of acceptance of violence against women; sexually coercive behaviour by young men; and contributes to unrealistic understandings of sex and sexuality.<\/p>\n
In February 2018, Relationships Australia sought to increase its understanding of the impacts of exposure to online pornography for young people aged 11 to 16 years through its monthly online survey.\u00a0 The survey asked visitors to our website to report on their understanding of young people\u2019s exposure to pornography, potential harm and where they would go for assistance if they had concerns about a young person.<\/p>\n
More than 1,000 people responded to Relationships Australia\u2019s online survey in February 2018.\u00a0 Three\u2011quarters (74%) of survey respondents identified as female; with more females than males responding in every age group (figure 1).\u00a0 Eighty-five per cent of survey respondents were aged between 20 to 59 years, while more than one-third (36%)\u00a0of respondents comprised women aged between 30 to 49 years (inclusive).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
As for previous surveys, the demographic profile of survey respondents remains consistent with our experience of the groups of people that are accessing the Relationships Australia website.<\/p>\n
Men were more likely than women to estimate higher rates when asked about young people\u2019s exposure to pornography (figure 2).\u00a0 Just under 80 per cent of men and 75 per cent of women estimated that they thought more than 60 per cent of young people aged between 11 and 16 years had been exposed to pornography.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.relationships.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/RAsurveyFeb2018fig02.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
A substantial proportion of survey respondents estimated that young people were harmed if they were exposed to online pornography on at least one occasion (figure 3).\u00a0 Women (45%) were more likely than men (27%) to report a single exposure to online pornography harms young people, while men (22%) were more likely than women (11%) to report young people are only harmed if they see online pornography frequently.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.relationships.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/RAsurveyFeb2018fig03.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
More than 60 per cent of women and 50 per cent of men reported that online exposure to pornography causes young people multiple types of harm (figure 4).\u00a0 Men (29%) were more likely than women (20%) to report that young people\u2019s online exposure to pornography leads to unrealistic expectations of sex, while men and women were equally likely (8%) to report young people\u2019s exposure to online pornography increases risky behaviour such as sex at younger ages and unprotected sex.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.relationships.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/RAsurveyFeb2018fig04.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Survey respondents were asked to indicate who they consider is responsible for protecting young adolescents (11-16 years old) against the potential harm of online pornography.\u00a0 More than 80 per cent of women and 65 per cent of men reported that everyone has responsibility, including parents, extended family, schools, and state and commonwealth government.\u00a0 Seventeen per cent of women and 29 per cent of men thought parents were responsible for protecting young people.<\/p>\n
Around half of survey respondents indicated they would seek help from a range of sources if they were worried about a young person\u2019s exposure to online pornography (figure 5).\u00a0 The most commonly cited places men and women would seek help included the internet and local support services.\u00a0 Very few men (12%) and women (6%) reported they would only seek help from family or friends.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.relationships.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/RAsurveyFeb2018fig05.jpg\")
<\/p>\n