Internet porn linked to dangerous sexual practices in teens

 

It's important for researchers to identify the factors that may influence young people to practice unsafe sex. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals between the ages of 15 and 24 have the highest risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and health officials have been searching for answers as to why this population is not practicing safer sex. Recently, Medical Daily reported on a study which suggests that internet porn may impact a teen's decision to engage in risky sexual behavior.

Researchers from the Kirby Institute’s Sexual Health Program at the University of New South Wales in Australia found that adolescents who have visited porn sites were more likely to have a higher number of sexual partners and participate in a wider variety of sexual practices than those who did not watch porn. According to an Australian survey that the scientists cite, approximately 28 percent of children between the ages of nine and 16 have seen online porn, and that number may be much higher.

"The study does not conclude that porn is turning the youth into sex-crazed delinquents, but more along the line that there was an association between adolescents who viewed porn [and] an increased likelihood of certain sexual behaviors," according to the news source.

The Sydney Morning Herald also reported on this study, and  stated that some of the risky behaviors the authors mention included taking drugs in association with sex and engaging in violent sexual behavior.

Internet porn is easily accessible to teens, which is why it's important for parents to monitor their children's internet use and talk to them about the risks of practicing unsafe sex. According to the CDC, half of all new STD cases each year occur in individuals between the ages of 15 and 24. More research is needed to determine if internet porn plays a role in the high number of infections among young people.