Published Paper Details:

The Internet has changed the way we access the world, estimating that up to 90% of youth between 12 and 18 years have access to an enormous array of material, including educational links, sports info, chat rooms and unfortunately, pornography. Depiction of a sexual nature in India is considered immoral, addictive and noxious, labelling them pornographic, and attempting to have them suppressed under obscenity and other laws, with varying degrees of success. According to the Porn hub 2018 Statistics, 33.5 billion people visited the website with India ranking 3rd in the world (Kumar, 2019). As COVID-19 spread globally, an increasing number of youths went online in pursuit of gratification, thus increasing the use of pornography and making it important to check the knowledge and awareness about its use and effects. The objectives of current study were to ascertain the perception of youth and adolescents regarding internet pornography and to provide guidelines and recommendations regarding its use, impact and effects of internet pornography among adolescents (13-19 years) and youth (20-26 years) for their mental health and well-being. Data was collected through a self-constructed tool (6 open and 13 closed ended) with a sample size of 200 participants (50 adolescents [13-19 years] and 150 youth [20-26 years]). Results revealed, that almost all of the participants indicated that the gadget as a source of exposure to internet pornography was the mobile phone and a large majority of young adults and majority of adolescents stated that sexual excitement and curiosity to get information about sex were the reasons for initial exposure of internet pornography. Guidelines suggested were mindful viewing by not having unrealistic expectations, viewing in limitation and engaging in social and leisure activities as well as developing new skills and also being provided with moral and sex education and awareness on the ill effects of excessive pornography use.