Is your teen looking at pornography online? Is it normal for teens to view porn or should you be worried? If a teen sees porn online will he be addicted? These, and many other questions, are on the mind of nearly every parent of a teenager. Everyone knows that the internet comes with both good and bad but what do teen pornography statistics show in regards to teens looking at porn?

In 1999 the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) provided funding to the Director of Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire to conduct a research survey on Internet victimization of youth. The project used a nationally representative sample of 1,501 youth ranging in age from 10-17 years old. The following statistics are a result of that survey.

Teen Pornography Statistics

• 25% of youth had unwanted exposure to porn in the past year.
• 23% reported being very or extremely upset by the sexual exposure they encountered online.
• 20% reported being very or extremely embarrassed by the porn.
• 20% reported at least one symptom of stress as a result of the exposure.
• 40% reported the unwanted exposure to sexual material to a parent.

Teen Sexual Solicitation and Approaches

• 20%, or 1 in 5, youth reported receiving a sexual approach or solicitation in the past year.
• 1 in 33 youth reported an aggressive solicitation where they were asked to meet, talk on the phone, or were sent correspondence through the USPS.
• Only 25% reported sexual solicitation to a parent.
• Only 17% of youth could name an authority to which they could report an Internet crime.
• Only 11% of parents knew who to report an Internet crime to.

Statistics of Youth Exposed to Internet Pornography

As part of a study by the US Department of Health and Human Services a Youth Internet Safety Survey (YISS) of 10-17 year old youth was conducted. Approximately 1,500 youth participated in the survey and it was given three separate times in the following years: 2000, 2005, 2010. The following are some of the statistics gathered in the year 2000 survey:

• 25% report unwanted exposure to sexual images on the Internet in the previous 12 months.
• 8% reported visiting an x-rated website on purpose in the previous 12 months.
•  About 50% of those seeking out pornography online also sought it out offline in magazines, movies, telephone sex lines, etc.
• 7% of those looking for porn were looking through offline mediums only.

Youth Pornography Exposure Statistics from 2005

• 42% of youth reported past-year exposure to online pornography.
• 13% of those were seeking out the pornography.
• 66% of those exposed reported their online pornography exposure was unwanted.

Statistics of All Online Pornography Exposure by Age 18

Another study referred to in the US Department of Health and Human Services report was a survey given to college students regarding their lifetime exposure to Internet pornography. The following youth pornography statistics were gathered:

• 93% of males reported being exposed to porn on the Internet prior to age 18.
• 62% of females reported online exposure to porn prior to the age of 18.
• Average age of first exposure was 14 for males and 15 for females.
• 42% of females report all exposure was involuntary.

Personality and Risk-Behaviors of Youth Seeking Porn

Several studies analyzed numerous metrics regarding youth exposure to porn and found that males are more likely to be exposed than females; age is also a factor, with older youth more likely to be exposed. It was also determined that those youth exposed to online pornography  scored higher on sensation-seeking metrics, which are linked to multiple risk behaviors. These statistics show that:

• 37% of youth reported substance abuse issues (use of cigarettes, alcohol, or other substances 4 or more times per week).
• 48% reported delinquent behavior in the prior year.
• Those with involuntary exposure reported higher rates of harassment and victimization both online and offline and they were more likely to show signs of depression.

Researches are also looking into how teen pornography exposure effects the teen’s sexual attitude, sexual behavior, and sexual health. Trends show that youth that are exposed to sexual content can be influenced in a positive or negative way. Some youth use the exposure as a means of instigating a conversation with a parent to learn more about the sexual material they saw or heard;  others, however, do not talk with anyone about the sexual exposure and may be be more likely to seek out more sexual content or even create and share their own.

Sources:

US Department of Health and Human Services, “Influence of New Media on Adolescent Sexual Health: Evidence and Opportunities”, aspe.hhs.gov [online]

US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, “Youth Internet Safety Survey” ojp.gov [online]