Pornography, Technology, and Creating Healthier Online Environments
Pornography is so taboo in our society that it sometimes feels risky to even talk about it. Many religious, political, and cultural ideologies see porn as a vice in society that should be eliminated. At the same time, porn is everywhere. The advance of internet technology has made it especially clear that many people out there are invested in creating and consuming pornography, despite societal bias against it.
In order to understand this contradiction, it’s helpful to think about pornography in a new way. If we look beyond our unequivocal bias against it, we can examine what adverse effects it actually does have. We can also see how it may be used as a positive force and how it actually works in our society. Perhaps most importantly, we can ensure that it is used safely and responsibly and doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Looking Beyond the Taboo
The societal taboo against porn can have many harmful effects. Firstly, it means that much of the industry producing this material must be underground. This makes it challenging to regulate and protect the rights and safety of the people involved in producing it.
The shame associated with porn also makes it difficult for consumers. It can cause people to develop unhealthy misconceptions based on what they see in pornography. Without the ability to discuss it, it becomes difficult to understand what pornography can actually be for and how it necessarily differs from real-life relationships.
In addition, the societal taboo can keep people from dealing with the potential negative impacts of pornography. Some people may develop addictions to pornography that are destructive to both their mental health and relationships. However, due to shame and embarrassment, many people are afraid to talk about this problem and seek help that would allow them to recover.
Every person’s opinion on pornography and its morals of it is different. Some believe that it is inherently immoral, while others think it can be a force for good. No matter your moral views on the subject, it is important to allow for open discussion on the realities of pornography to create a safer world for everyone.
Negative Impacts of Porn
Pornography can have a number of serious consequences. Some studies have found certain types of pornography to encourage violence against women and girls and promote the objectification of women. Pornography can also cause individuals to develop unrealistic expectations of sex and relationships, leading to conflict later on and sometimes even destroying relationships and marriages. Pornography can also become an addiction, a severe mental health issue that can significantly impact a person’s health and life.
Porn and technology
Pornography has always been a significant venue for developing new technology. Due to its underground nature, it often provides a market for technology in earlier stages. This paves the way for it to be adopted more widely once the technology has been refined. In part because of this connection, the prevalence of technology in people’s everyday lives today has made pornography more accessible than ever.
This has definitely had some positive impacts. The openness of the internet has allowed for the development of projects that aim to approach pornography in a more ethical way and ones that encourage more comprehensive sex education for kids. However, it has also made it much easier for people of all ages to find potentially harmful materials, sometimes without even realizing it.
Creating a Safer Online Environment
One of the major concerns of our internet age has been how to keep kids safe from viewing harmful content online. This often focuses on pornography, but it is also essential to consider other harmful content, such as content that incites violence or promotes unhealthy mental and behavioral patterns.
Many online platforms have safeguards designed to keep kids from seeing harmful material. However, it is possible for tech-savvy kids to get past a lot of those safeguards and find almost anything online. Because of this, it’s essential to invest in a safe online environment and create a culture of open discussion where kids can ask questions and learn to understand what they see online. Whereas something forbidden without reason often becomes more alluring, demystifying taboo topics can decrease their appeal. With more open education, kids can learn to be more informed consumers of the internet and understand why certain types of content can be helpful to themselves and others.
Author bio:
Marie Miguel Biography
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
