Pornography

Make up your own mind.

Your friends may think porn is OK and even encourage you to watch it. It’s important not to feel pressured.

What you need to know about porn:

• It gives an unrealistic idea of sex and what is normal
• It can mislead you about what your girlfriend/boyfriend likes about sex
• Porn is a fantasy acted out by paid actors
• It sets unequal expectations of sex partners – sex, in reality, is about respecting your partner and their needs
• It shows people having unprotected sex – pregnancy and infections can be avoided by using protection
• Porn shows people being mistreated
• It may set you up for disappointment in your own sex life
• Watching porn can be addictive and, like any addiction, can be a big problem in your day-to-day life.

If you’re worried about porn, it’s important to talk to someone about it. Yes, it may be an awkward conversation, but there are people who can help. You could try talking to: 

• One of your parents or someone else in your whānau who you trust
• Contact us – we’re here to help

Someone I know might be addicted to porn. What are some of the warning signs?

• They have no time for activities they used to enjoy, like sports, arts and spending time with friends
• Constantly think about porn and want to watch it every time they’re free
• Find that porn is affecting their relationship and their sex life