Pornography, or porn, is any sexually explicit material—written, visual, or otherwise—intended to sexually arouse. Pornography has existed for millennia, and today it remains widely available in books, magazines, and audio recordings, but is most readily found and accessed online: The world’s largest porn site claims that in 2018, it had a daily average of 92 million unique viewers, the vast major
What Is Pornography? (Plain Language Explanation)
Pornography refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Pornography
- Symptoms: The specific ways pornography shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen pornography
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When pornography occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Pornography
- Pornography is far more common than most people realize
- Pornography is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with pornography see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about pornography is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing pornography, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.