A groundbreaking new study finds that young people who regularly view pornography are significantly more likely to report feelings of depression and hopelessness than those who rarely or never view it. In a Family Studies Institute/YouGov survey of 2,000 teens and adults ages 18-39, 32% of young people who view pornography daily reported feeling “depressed, depressed, or hopeless” most or all of the time, compared with 19% of those who rarely or never view pornography. Additionally, 36% of young people who view pornography daily report feeling lonely most or all of the time, compared with 20% of those who rarely or never view pornography.
Nearly one in 10 adults under the age of 40 say they view pornography at least once a day. studyMen are twice as likely to watch pornography as women.
Family Institute researchers Wendy Wang and Michael Toscano said the study should serve as a wake-up call for society.
“Given these findings, addressing the mental health risks associated with heavy pornography use, particularly the associations with depression and loneliness, should be a priority for health professionals and U.S. policymakers,” Wang and Toscano wrote in their analysis.
“Understanding and mitigating the addictive potential of online pornography is crucial amid the ongoing mental health crisis in America, particularly among young people,” the researchers said. “Wide-reaching pornography use can have negative effects not only on individual health, but also on social relationships and the health of the community at large.”
They said pornography is not only pervasive in modern society, but also addictive.
The study highlights the need for age-verification laws to protect minors, Wang and Toscano said. As of June, 19 states had such laws in place to block children from accessing pornography.
“Research suggests that frequent viewing of pornography affects the brain's reward system, such that, like a drug addict, a person becomes desensitized and seeks more and more extreme content to achieve the same level of stimulation as the drug addict,” the researchers wrote. “Moreover, pornography sites use techniques similar to social media platforms to keep users engaged, such as infinite scrolling, autoplay, and personalized content. Like social media companies, online pornography providers' business model relies on users' rapt and loyal attachment.”
Prayer for freedom from pornography addiction
“Dear God, I have been caught in a stress cycle of lust and shame, but I believe You will help me break out of it. I acknowledge that pornography is blocking the intimacy You created for us to foster through real relationship through sex. Please forgive me for abusing those You love through pornography, by seeing them as objects to be used rather than souls to be loved. Please heal my mind from the unhealthy neural pathways that viewing pornography has wired into my brain. Please help me identify the triggers for me to use pornography – stress, frustration, boredom, loneliness, or something else. When I experience those triggers, empower me to turn to You, the source of all love, instead of porn. Teach me what to do to turn away from porn and turn to You when temptation hits. Repair the sexual brokenness in my life through counseling with myself or my spouse, and in any other ways I need healing. Please restore healthy connection with my spouse in my marriage. Let’s enjoy and celebrate the sanctity of sex together as You intended. Thank you for healing me and filling me with real love. I no longer need to settle for the cheap substitute that is pornography. Amen.”
When an addiction has taken over your life, it may seem like there is no way out. But God's power is far more powerful than any addiction. Pray for the help you need to break free from your addiction, and choose hope. You will see God respond in amazing ways and lead you to a better future.
This prayer is 5 Powerful Prayers for Addiction Freedom By Whitney Hoppler.
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Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
