Pornography

The definition of pornography continues to evolve with social norms and technology. In the broadest terms, pornography may be defined as materials containing sexually explicit imagery. The Internet created greater accessibility to pornographic material, and this has had adverse (and some positive) effects upon adolescents, couples, and families. The world changed drastically with the advent and widespread use of the Internet, which serves as a source of media consumption, social connection, and information-gathering. As of 2015, approximately 84% of the U.S. population report that they use the Internet. Internet pornography is now more widely used than any previous medium for pornographic material, including books, magazines, or movies. This entry discusses research on the effects of pornography on adolescents and couples, characteristics of pornography, and the ...