Concrete’s Sex Survey asked students about how they view porn’s force. The two top results came in close: at 42%, most people responded “it depends.” In close second, surveyors rated porn as having a negative force, with 40%. The greatest concerns were regarding the ethicality of the porn in question and the amount at which it was consumed.  

Several responses expressed a concern regarding porn addiction, given its high dopamine drive. In fact, some shared their own experiences facing a porn addiction: “it just needs to be regulated, and people should feel more open to open up about any addictions to it without feeling embarrassed.” 

Around 15% of responses indicated porn as having a “neutral” impact. Only 2% of responses saw porn as having a positive influence. These responses tended to indicate a higher libido, all stating that they masturbate at least once a week. People who reported lower levels of masturbation, also saw porn as a largely negative concept. 

Some of the criticisms towards porn focused on the portrayals within porn, frequently stating that they perpetuated “harmful” and “unrealistic” depictions of sex. Within that there were several responses that noted aggressive or rough sexual habits seen within porn that would then be translated to real-life. Rough sex, in itself, is not necessarily a “bad thing,” however it depends on the parties involved and whether they had explicitly consented to that type of sex.  

The demographic currently at university has largely been raised in a world where pornography has been easily accessible without any age verification. This means that many, if not most, respondents first encountered porn whilst being underaged. A survey by the Children’s Commissioner found that the average age to first see explicit content was 13 years old.  

Several major pornsites, including PornHub, have previously been criticised as having inappropriate content. Namely content that has been nonconsensually filmed or publicised, explicit material involving children, sexual abuse and assault, as well as deepfakes. The porn industry was also widely criticised for its systemic and widespread exploitation.  

Many of the “it depends” respondents argued that though there were negative aspects to it, porn has also seen some positive developments in recent years. This has been seen with the rise in ethical porn productions. Some respondents mentioned companies, like Bellessa and Erika Lust. Such sites prioritise offering more organic and realistic depictions of sex. The rise of amateur porn has also indicated a trend in moving away from artificial and exaggerated depictions of sex.  

There has also been a rise in alternative formats of explicit content, such as “fairy porn” or erotic fiction, as well as audio books. These tend to appeal to those seeking a more subtle form through which to enjoy explicit content. Several respondents indicated their preferences to such mediums. 

Despite the negative aspects of the porn industry, it has also offered itself as a medium through which people have been able to explore their sexuality and in sexual interests. One respondent shared: “It’s all about experimenting and porn can give you ideas.” It is important to take these lessons with a pinch of salt, but nevertheless it can offer itself as a valuable visual source through which to learn about sex.  

It’s impossible to conclude this discussion of porn without mentioning pleasure, at the end of the day, it’s something that is used as a form of sexual gratification. Simply put, some people enjoy watching it and it can be a fun thing to watch whilst masturbating.

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