Pornography

Pornography shows or describes sex or naked people in a very open and direct way, to create sexual excitement. It can be images, including drawings and photographs, videos, audio and writing. Pornography is also described as explicit or obscene.

Most people see some pornographic images when they are growing up. This might be by accident, on the internet, or in books or magazines. This is a big concern for children and young people. 

Take action: Find out about the facts and the risks of viewing online porn from Childline - including healthy relationship information.

Risks to health

Using pornography regularly can lead to health problems:

• Unrealistic or unsafe expectations of relationships
• Problems forming safe relationships

Instant Expert: We know porn can harm young people from research by the NSPCC and other organisations.

Do I have a problem?

People tend to do the same things as their friends, so it can be hard to tell if there is a problem. A good starting point is to ask three questions. These can be about yourself, or someone else:

1. Am I worried about use of pornography?
2. Am I using it every day, or when I should be doing other things?
3. Is my use of pornography hurting relationships or having an effect on study or work?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then there may be a problem.

Take Action: Porn is not realistic! Find out more from The Mix Porn Vs Reality.

What can I do?

Using pornography compulsively, secretively or very often can be very bad for your health. If you are beginning to do this, then you should:

1. Put it out of reach, for example by getting rid of magazines or restricting your access to the internet.
2. Find something else interesting to do, like sport, art, writing, gaming or music.
3. Set yourself targets and rewards, so you are motivated to stop.

It will also help to talk to someone you trust, in confidence, like your school health nurse, or a youth worker or teacher.

Crucial: If you are concerned about harm from pornography use to you or anyone else, support is available. Start looking for help by talking to your School Health Nurse.

Pornography can break the law

Some kinds of pornography are illegal. Examples of this:

• Any kind of pornography that shows a child (under 18)
• Violent sexual images

It is a crime to own this kind of image (for example, having it on your mobile phone) or to send it or show it to other people.

It is also a crime to create these images, even if they are pictures of yourself.

Take action: Taking, making, sharing and possessing indecent images and pseudo-photographs of people under 18 is illegal. If a nude image or a child has been shared online, you can get it removed using the report, remove tool from Childline.  

Sexting

Young people who take or send nude images of themselves are breaking the law, if they are under 18. This is sometimes called sexting.

These videos from Think U Know look at the issue - and provide some great tips for starting discussions with friends, parents and brothers or sisters.

Nude selfies - what parents and young people need to know

Sexting is always a crime when the person is under 18, but the police are usually only involved if there has been some serious harm as a result.

Instant Expert: From what's legal to how to report, from why people watch porn to how it can affect their relationships, Brook, the sexual health and wellbeing charity, has all the answers.