Sydney, November 14: A new report has revealed that one in three young Australians are turning to "violent and degrading" porn to learn about sex. The online survey, commissioned by Our Watch, involved 832 Australians aged 16 to 20 and explored their views on gender roles, sex, dating, and relationships, including their attitudes towards pornography.

The research found that young people typically view pornography for the first time at an average age of 13.6 years, often before they have the tools to understand what they are seeing, the New York Post reported. Alarmingly, 31% of participants use pornography as a form of sex education despite recognising it as an inadequate source. Deepfake Porn: Telegram Under Investigation in South Korea Over Online Sex Crimes After Female K-Pop Idols and Korean Actresses Targeted in Deepfake Videos.

'Porn for Sex Education'

Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly said that much of the pornography consumed is "violent and degrading toward women." She noted that young people are learning about sex and relationships through pornography and carrying those values into their intimate relationships.

'Learning Sex Through Porn is Like Learning to Drive by Watching F1'

Teach Us Consent founder Chanel Contos compared learning about sex through pornography to learning to drive by watching Formula 1, a sentiment Kinnersly echoed. She emphasised the harmful impact of violent pornography on young viewers, particularly young men, who may normalise such behaviour in their relationships. ‘Young Relatives Are Not Sex Toys’: Man, Who Was Addicted To Porn as Young Boy, Jailed for Raping Teenage Cousin Sister in Ireland's Cork.

Choking During Sex

A survey by the University of Melbourne Law School and the University of Queensland found that 57% of participants aged 18 to 35 had been choked or strangled during sex at least once, with more than half having done it to a partner. In pornography, choking is often depicted as pleasurable despite the dangers it poses.

Kinnersly pointed out that there is no safe way to practice strangulation or give consent during it, and the normalisation of such acts increases pressure on young people to engage in them. Contos further explores this issue in her book, "Consent Laid Bare," arguing that society has made violent sex the default by not distinguishing it from consensual sex.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 14, 2024 09:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).