In small corners of the academic and activist world, there are some who still question whether pornography is harmful. But for the many families facing the real-life consequences of sexually-explicit material, there really is no debate.
The heartache is enormous — and scientifically confirmed. According to the available literature, over 75 studies correlate pornography use with less sexual and relationship satisfaction, with more than 80 studies demonstrating its connection to poorer cognitive function or mental-emotional health.
The most important question is what more can be done to support individuals grappling with compulsive pornography use, along with their loved ones. The 2026 Utah Coalition Against Pornography meetings next Saturday aim squarely at that core question. Proceedings available online and in person will include presentations by professionals and community leaders, along with remarks by Emily Belle Freeman, Young Women General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Following are key statistical trends on the scope of the problem as reflected in the latest research on compulsive pornography use.
1. Not just men who struggle
In any healthy discussion of pornography statistics, it’s important to first avoid painting a picture of “everyone’s using it” — which is both untrue and unhelpful, akin to the “everyone drinks this soft drink” marketing to promote a particular beverage.
Research confirms that exposure to pornography is increasing generally across most demographics.
For instance, after decades where pornography struggles centered on men, the last 15 to 20 years have seen women increasingly grappling too. According to a 2024 Barna study, 78% of men (and 75% of Christian men) consume pornography to some extent — with 44% of all women viewing pornography at least occasionally — a 5 percentage point increase from their same survey eight years earlier.
To the extent it can be trusted, industry data also suggests a marked increase in female users over the last 15 years, although men still clearly tend to use at higher levels.
2. Youth exposed more than past generations
Young people are also viewing pornography at higher rates than past generations. Recent studies have found between 70% and 73% of teens in the 13-18 age range report having seen pornography.
But importantly, that also means 30% of young people still have not been exposed to pornography by age 18. In fact, one 2016 Barna survey that included teens and young adults found half of respondents (49%) saying they “never seek out porn” — with 17% adding they had “never come across it.”
According to the same survey, “practicing Christians” were more than three times less likely to use porn than other teens and adults.
For those who do get exposed, the average age this happens — most often unintentionally — is about 12 years old (10 for boys and 13 for girls). Additionally, 27% of youth nationally report first exposure by age 11, and 15% by age 10 or younger. By the time they are 13, more than half of teens (54%) report having been exposed.
3. Signs of broader desensitization
It’s long been known that individuals can be desensitized to pornography. Signs of a gradual desensitization taking place culturally are also evidence. For instance:
- Younger Americans show more “moral ambiguity” Toward pornography — with the 2016 Barna survey finding that only 32% of adults age 13-24 say viewing porn is wrong, and only 1 in 20 young adults talk with friends in a “disapproving way” about pornography.
- Teens and young adults in the same survey rank “not recycling” as more immoral than viewing pornography — with only 32% of teens and young adults ranking it as morally wrong.
- A majority of adults (54%) say pornography use doesn’t really bother them — especially Gen-Xers and Boomers (with older generations the most bothered). Only about 1 in 5 adults overall (18%) reported feeling much guilt about pornography use — feelings that increased for practicing Christians, conservatives and the youngest and oldest survey respondents.
- Christians surveyed were also twice as likely to say they’d like to stop viewing pornography, compared with the general population of teens and adults. Yet, generally, relatively few adults surveyed (9%) indicate they are actively trying to stop using porn.
4. Addictive potential
All but two of the published 67 neuroscience-based studies on pornography users provide evidence confirming the addictive nature of compulsive pornography consumption — mirroring biological findings in other substance abuse research.
Another set of 65 studies report findings that demonstrate “tolerance” and “habituation” consistent with escalation of pornography use. And another 18 studies demonstrate withdrawal symptoms in pornography users.
Additionally, over 35 respected literature reviews and commentaries by leading brain scientists confirm the addictiveness of pornography.