Pornography and Its Impact on Social and Mental Well-being - Insights from the 26th SMSNA Annual Fall Scientific Meeting
At the second day of the 26th SMSNA Annual Fall Scientific Meeting, Dr. Brian Willoughby shared his research on pornography and its influence on mental health, along with his thoughts on the future of pornography.
Most research shows that pornography use peaks in young adulthood and declines with age, and that nearly twice as many men as women consume pornography. Other studies report that around half of surveyed couples use pornography together.
Dr. Willoughby discussed how the frequency of pornography consumption can affect mental health and relationships. More frequent use is associated with increasingly negative views toward sexual activity and partnerships. However, he noted an important caveat: the content and nature of the pornography consumed may contribute to more severe mental health outcomes. Generally speaking, there are few instances of compulsive sexual behavior such as this, which may involve more violent content and behaviors.
According to Dr. Willoughby, the future of pornography appears to be moving toward AI and deepfakes, which may have a greater impact on relationships and mental health, particularly depression and anxiety, than traditional pornography. Deepfakes allow for customized content with the face of a desired sexual partner, and AI companions are customizable in terms of personality and design, potentially making it more difficult for individuals to feel fully satisfied with real-life romantic partners.
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