• The psychological, physical, and legal implications of pornography in children, adolescents, and young adults

Is the fantasy created by pornography harmful to young minds?  The debate for and against pornography has continued globally, with varied approaches from different cultures. However, in psychology, pornography is generally viewed as harmful when consumed by children, adolescents, and young adults.  The Sri Lanka 2020 Crime and Safety Report identifies the consumption of pornography and the publishing of such material as being on an upward trend. Social isolation, brought on by the pandemic having been a possible contributing factor to the increase in consumption and publishing of pornographic material, and the implications that it has on the psychological wellbeing and general safety of our children, adolescent, and young adult segments of the population are alarming.  To better understand the impacts of pornography, Brunch spoke to University of Kelaniya Senior Lecturer and Ragama Teaching Hospital Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Miyuru Chandradasa; Attorney-at-Law and Child Protection Force Founder Milani Salpitikorala; and journalist and writer Nadeesha Paulis, who is vocal about the impacts of pornography on social media. Porngraphy and its impact on child, adolescent, and young adult psychology Speaking about the psychological impacts of pornography, Dr. Chandradasa shared that while there are negative implications of such material, not every adolescent or young adult who watches it has a mental health issue. “There is a chance of children and adolescents who are exposed to pornography having unrealistic expectations in their relationships in real life because what they see in pornography is exaggerated. They may also become aggressive or dominating in a harmful manner towards thier partners, because of what they have learnt from pornography.”  Elaborating on the other harmful effects of pornography consumption among children, adolescents, and young adults, Dr. Chandradasa stated that feelings of insecurity about one’s body could arise, leading to body dysmorphia. In addition, they may project these body image ideals onto potential partners, rejecting anybody who does not meet them.Talking about the cultural implications, especially in Sri Lanka, Dr. Chandradasa said that parents can become physically violent towards children if they are caught watching such material, which can deteriorate family bonding. Furthermore, in young couples, one partner consuming pornography can cause distress to the other partner, as it is often seen as unacceptable and even as a form of infidelity to some.  Sharing his experiences with children who were exposed to pornography in the recent past, he stated that several of these children presented with anxiety-like symptoms, because they were traumatised by what they saw. When asked about pornography addiction, Dr. Chandradasa said that an individual has a higher risk of developing an addiction if they have had poor impulse control from the start. “When a parent asks us if it is too late for them to bring their child in to get treatment, the usual answer is, it is 10 years too late. Parents need to notice poor impulse control in children such as speaking out of turn, inability to pay attention in class, expression of angry outbursts, and so on. Such children have a higher tendency of developing an addiction, be it to porn, video games, recreational drugs, or anything else.” He further said that children, adolescents, and young adults may use pornography to fill a void within them.  Speaking on methods of treatment, he said that the first step is generally to identify whether the consumption of pornoraphy has recently begun or if it has been going on for a while. If it is recent, identifying the psychological stressor and resolving it will usually resolve the addiction. If it has been ongoing, it is most likely a case of impulsive temperament and possible attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which they then need to address. He further went on to stress that parents need to be aware of what children are watching online and that if they do discover pornographic material, it is imperative to stay calm and not physically punish the child, and instead seek professional help.  Law and pornography  Sharing her thoughts on pornography and Sri Lankan law, Salpitikorala said that the viewing and distribution of pornography in Sri Lanka is against the law, through the Obscene Publications Ordinance (1929) and the Penal Code of Sri Lanka. She went on to say that the Budapest Convention has been ratified by Sri Lanka, and so has the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography.  Elaborating further, she added that under the offence of obscene publication exhibition relating to children, Section 286 A of the Penal Code (Amendment) (No. 22 of 1995), any person who hires, employs, assists, persuades uses, induces, or coerces any child to appear or perform in any obscene or indecent exhibition or show or to pose or model for, or to appear in, any obscene or indecent photograph or film, or who publishes or possesses such material can be imprisoned for a term not less than two years and not exceeding 10 years and is also liable to be fined for the same offences. This particular law is rather extensive and describes in great detail the various aspects that are criminal offences as recognised in Sri Lanka. Salpitikorala also said that on 7 July 2021, the Police issued a statement saying that they plan on banning pornographic websites. However, she was unable to comment further on the matter on behalf of the state authorities. Sharing her thoughts on the reforms that she believes needs to be incorporated into our systems, Salapitikorala shared: “One of the biggest reforms that could be brought into our system is to create more awareness. From a young age, children and young people must learn about safe sex and body safety. This needs to be included in our education system, like what they tried to do with the year 7 book. Trying to hide such important matters in the face of cultural values will only destroy Sri Lanka’s cultural values even more. There are many coastal children being raped and being sexually abused on a daily basis, and these cases are not even reported. There are many cases of members of the clergy inhumanely raping and abusing both girls and boys – aren’t we destroying our cultural values here?” Creating awareness around pornography consumption  While pornography comes with its issues, the expression and exploration of sexuality and sensuality is healthy and a natural, human process, and pornography can, if used properly, play a valuable and healthy role in this apect of our development.  Paulis strives to create awareness around pornograhy and other social issues and shared that pornography is aimed at sexually active adults for entertaiment purposes. She further added that she has personally had conversations with men, mostly, who have claimed to have started watching pornography when they were 13 years old. “By the time they are 26, these men have consumed pornography for over 10 years and it takes a massive toll on their ability to maintain relationships in the real world, because they are addicted to that chemical high induced by pornography,” Paulis shared.  Delving further into the topic, she said that masturbation, according to her, is very healthy and that it allows for healthy “me time” and pleasure. However, she went on to say that fuelling self-pleasure with pornography, especially to the point where one is dependent on it to bring in a feeling of excitement, is problematic. “I have noticed that for many people, a lack of human connection and intimacy translates to them indulging in pornography. But that indulgence is meaningless, as it does not allow for genuine human connection.”  Speaking about the ill-effects of pornography consumption, especially in adolescents, Paulis stated that boys as young as 13-16 years have confided in her that they feel insecure about the size of their genitalia, because what they have seen in pornography has set unrealistic standards. She also shared that this very factor is a contributor towards body dysmorphia in young girls.  Paulis also went on to share her thoughts on the pornography industry, saying that for the most part, the industry is unethical with actors not being paid properly, being subjected to acts that they are not willing participants of, and with lack of safety and sanitation in some cases. Furthermore, categories of pornography such as rape porn or unrealistically portrayed BDSM porn can cause violent and aggressive behaviours in those who consume it.  Paulis also stated that she feels that parents have a big role to play in creating a safe and open space where children and teenagers can communicate with parents about pornography. She said that she confidently believes that about 90% of 13-16-year-olds in Sri Lanka have been introduced to pornography by somebody they know, and in a situation as such, parents being understanding is the best way to protect children.  A call to action for the safety of our youth The expression and exploration of sexuality and sensuality is healthy and a natural, human process. However, in children, adolescents, and young adults, where cognitive and personality development is an ongoing process, the consumption of porn – especially the excessive consumption of it – can be gravely detrimental.  With travel restrictions still in place (to a certain extent) and more children and adolescents spending more and more time unsupervised, the risk of them being exposed to pornographic material is arguably higher than ever. The situation calls for parents, caregivers, and teachers to be more aware and understanding of their children and students. As for young adults, knowing themselves and being able to identify what is healthy, what is not, and most importantly, when they need help or are becoming dependent, are a must.