Simple Steps to Curb Internet Porn Cravings

Understanding the Impact of Internet Pornography

Internet pornography is generally defined as professionally produced or user-generated material from the Internet that shows unconcealed and close-up depictions of sexual activities. Over the past two decades, various forms of pornographic materials have existed, but the most prevalent and easily accessible form has been internet pornography.

The rapid growth of digital technology, along with the widespread availability of smartphones and high-speed internet, has made accessing a vast range of explicit content easier and often free. This, combined with the anonymity provided by online viewing, has led to an increase in porn consumption, especially among teenagers and young adults.

A 2024 study published in the L’Encephale journal found that most adolescents are aware that the majority of pornographic material is exaggerated and unrealistic. The study highlighted several negative impacts of pornography among consumers, including increased preoccupation with sex, higher levels of sexual risk activities, permissive sex behavior, female sexual objectification, and sexual aggression.

Regular users may also face challenges such as addiction to explicit content, emotional disconnection, poor academic performance, desensitization, unrealistic sexual expectations, sexual performance issues like erectile dysfunction and anorgasmia, loss of productivity, isolation, anxiety, and depression.

Most experts consider the internet a more sexually stimulating environment than other media. This means that youths can accidentally or intentionally encounter pornographic material online and become addicted to it.

Strategies to Protect Yourself from Online Pornography

Tech consultant Solomon Nwadike noted that many young people who struggle with addiction to internet porn are triggered by pop-ups of explicit content on websites, gaming consoles, and social media platforms. Here are some effective ways to protect yourself from accessing online porn:

Set Browsing Time Limits

Browsing the internet late into the night can predispose individuals to relapse into looking at porn. It can also deprive them of quality sleep due to the light entering their eyes. The best way to control porn cravings is to establish a firm limit on how long you will browse the internet, especially when alone. Avoid browsing on your device late into the night.

Use the Internet Responsibly

Make a personal choice to visit internet sites that are intellectually stimulating and morally acceptable. Delete apps on your phone that promote pornographic videos and photographs. Be selective about the kind of apps you install on your phone.

Avoid Online Triggers

For many internet users, explicit content frequently pops up on social media, blogs, and even some news sites under the guise of promoting a 'hookup' site or aphrodisiacs. These are triggers that can stimulate the urge to view internet porn. The best approach is to leave the site, close the page, or exit the platform as soon as possible. Viewing such explicit content can lead to downloading it for repeated viewing, which may lead to addiction.

Filter Out Explicit Content

Use a content filtering service to prevent explicit content from appearing on your website. You can use CleanBrowsing and activate Safe Search on Google. Some content filters are available on browsers, routers, and apps that can be used to remove unwanted content.

Mind Your Digital Footprints

Digital footprints refer to the trail of data left behind by internet users, including what they post online, websites they visit, and other information collected by apps, browsers, and other online platforms. Websites can track browsing habits using cookies, and social media apps have algorithms that detect what users like based on sites they visit and accounts they engage with frequently.

If, for instance, you engage with or visit the sites of porn models on social media, the algorithms will suggest more pages related to porn videos. Therefore, it is important to be intentional about who you engage with online and where you visit.

Scrutinize Social Media Platforms

Tech expert Abisoye Olatunde advised parents to make use of settings embedded in social media platforms to protect children from explicit material online. While TikTok has screen time management within the app that parents can use to ensure control over what their children access, some social media apps like X, Snapchat, and Instagram do not have this feature. These apps have become havens of adult material.

The key for parents whose children are on social media during holidays is prevention, scrutiny, and frequent communication. Enlighten them on the dangers of viewing explicit content and encourage them to confide in you if their friends introduce them to it.