Pornography and its Devastating Consequences on the Youth & Women in India

Pornography is playing havoc in the minds of its users, creating a generation of men who see women as objects to be used and abused. The end result is an increase in sexual violence and rape.

(HSI) Ethos Institute’s Youth Research & Development wing, More Love, has been engaged in research on youth and sexual behaviour for the past twelve years. This article contains excerpts from a research paper published by them.

The Shocking Reality of Pervasive Pornography

• More than 80% of Indian high school students have been exposed to pornography.
  (The New Indian Express, July 30, 2013)

• India ranks #2 globally for searching the word “sex” on the internet, after Pakistan.
  (Family Safe Media)

• 30% of all data transferred across the internet is pornographic content.
  70% of men watch pornography, while 30% of women do.
  (Zee News India, May 5, 2013)

• A year-long survey found that 75% of pre-university students in rural India were addicted to pornography.
  (The Indian Express, February 27, 2013)

• In a survey of 300 children under the age of 13 in India, 67% admitted to accessing pornographic websites, mostly through mobile phones.
  (Cathnews India, October 12, 2011)

• A recent survey by IMRB revealed that one in five mobile users in India wants adult content on their 3G-enabled phone. Pornography websites rank among the most visited in the country.

Consider This: Internet Pornography and Children

The pornography industry earns over $100 billion annually. Pornography addiction has been described as a behavioural addiction, characterised by compulsive and repeated use of pornographic material despite serious negative consequences to one’s physical, mental, social, and financial well-being.

Addiction to internet pornography is also a form of cybersex addiction.

Problematic internet pornography viewing refers to consumption that negatively affects an individual’s personal or social life—whether due to excessive time spent, inappropriate viewing contexts, or emotional dependence.

Individuals may experience:

• Depression

• Social isolation

• Career loss or reduced productivity

• Financial difficulties

The Five Stages of Pornography Addiction

1. Early Exposure
   Most individuals who become addicted to pornography are exposed at a very young age. Tolerance builds early, increasing vulnerability.
2. Addiction
   Pornography has become a regular habit. Attempts to quit fail, and dependence grows.
3. Escalation
   The individual seeks increasingly graphic and extreme material—content that would have once been disturbing now becomes stimulating.
4. Desensitisation
   Over time, even extreme material no longer excites. Emotional numbness sets in, and the user seeks stronger stimulation.
5. Acting Out Sexually
   Some individuals progress from consuming pornography to acting out sexually in the real world.

Pornography and Rape

While rape has existed throughout history, we are now witnessing an epidemic of rape crimes. Even the harshest punishments—such as life imprisonment or the death penalty—have failed to deter perpetrators. This raises a critical question: what is driving this behaviour?

Pornography trains the brain to objectify women rather than recognise them as persons of dignity and worth. Women are reduced to means for sexual gratification.

Several studies show that portrayals of women enjoying rape or sexual violence in media increase acceptance of rape myths among both men and women.

Research indicates that some youth exposed to pornography in India have acted out on innocent victims, leading to molestation and rape. There have also been cases where men reenact pornographic behaviour with their wives, treating them as objects rather than partners. Such dynamics contribute to marital breakdown, separation, and divorce.

Watching pornography desensitises individuals to sexual violence and cruelty, increasing aggressive behaviours.

How Pornography Becomes Addictive

A former pornography addict shared the following testimony:

“When I reached the ‘acting out’ phase, I began fantasising about what it would be like to rape a woman. One night, I almost acted on it. I was extremely fortunate that I didn’t go through with it.”

After being reported, arrested, and spending time in jail, he began to confront the destructive lies pornography had shaped in his life. He acknowledged that with just a small push, he could have committed rape—and possibly murder—to cover his actions. Many others are not as fortunate.

Even pornography considered “non-violent” can be harmful. A 2000 study found that 42% of online pornography contained violence. Today, aggression is increasingly normalised in pornographic content.

By the age of 18:

• 39% of boys

• 23% of girls

have been exposed to acts involving bondage and extreme sexual behaviour online.

Who Is Responsible for This Culture?

• Media
  When culture sells products through sexually suggestive advertising—where women are portrayed primarily as objects of lust rather than as persons of dignity—it strips women of their worth and humanity.
• Misogyny
  Misogyny refers to the hatred or dislike of women or girls and manifests through discrimination, objectification, and violence against women.
• Misogynistic Men
  Men rape women for various reasons, including anger, sexual entitlement, distorted views of sexuality, and collective frustrations. Addressing rape requires engaging with these underlying attitudes. Capital punishment alone will not end sexual violence.

A Call to Action

Pornography is not only fuelling sexual violence and rape—it is also contributing to mental health issues, broken families, and growing gender discrimination.

We must confront this crisis by:

• Sensitising and educating youth

• Taking strong legal and social measures

• Restricting and banning pornographic content

• Teaching that men and women are created equal and deserving of dignity and respect

Any portrayal of women as objects or commodities must be rejected. Value and dignity must be restored to womanhood.

We all share a responsibility toward moral accountability. Only then can justice truly prevail. It is our hope that, as a nation, India will take a firm stand against the erosion of conscience caused by pornography—an assault that tears at the very fabric of our humanity.

For citations and the complete article, visit: dominicdixon.net