Research report on NZ Youth and Porn
The Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) have released research into how and why young New Zealanders view online pornography. They surveyed more than 2,000 New Zealanders aged 14-17 for this major research project.
For many children and young people in Aotearoa today, porn can be as close as the nearest phone. Over two thirds of 14 to 17-year-olds have been exposed to porn. One in four have seen porn before the age of 12 – mostly by accident, or by having it shown to them.
Seventy-two percent of teens who have viewed porn recently saw things that made them feel uncomfortable; and 42 percent of regular viewers would like to spend less time looking at porn – BUT they find this hard to do.
Seventy-one percent of young New Zealanders believe that children and teens’ access to online porn should be restricted in some way.
Chief Censor David Shanks says that technological and social shifts have changed everything we knew or thought we knew about porn and young people.
“This survey has been an opportunity to get young people’s experiences on the table – to give them a voice to tell us how and why they are viewing pornography. We feel it is vital to put our young people front and centre in the debate around internet porn. Listening to what they have to say will give us the best chance to make a difference, and to help them.”
“Our research provides New Zealanders and decision-makers robust and up-to-date evidence about what is happening and what the issues are, which can in turn inform work in areas such as public policy, health, and education.”
“We now have evidence we can use to give educators, parents, guardians and young people the tools, information, and support they need.”
“This research presents both a challenge and an opportunity. A challenge, because it puts beyond doubt porn is now a fact of life for young New Zealanders. They have told us in their own words about how conflicted they can feel about this. They sometimes see violent, aggressive, misogynistic and coercive behaviour. An opportunity, because many young New Zealanders have told us they think about what they see, are aware that much of it is not for them – and they are up for having some limits.”
Find out more about "NZ Youth and Porn: Research findings of a survey on how and why young New Zealanders view online pornography" inlcuding key findings and how to download a copy of the research report.