Porn Use Statistics
Numbers Don’t Lie. Women Lie, Men Lie, but Numbers Don’t Lie.
Back in 1983, the book Math Never Lies by Stanley Friedlander was published offering an introduction to basic college mathematics.
Now while the subject of the book sounds terribly dull, the message of the title is clear… Math is precise and tells a story that’s not subjective or manipulative.
When it comes to the “porn epidemic” in this country (and the world) debates often surface.
Is porn addictive?
Is porn harmful?
Is porn use really that prevalent?
And so on…
Consequently, numbers often get manipulated, massaged, and even fabricated in an effort to defend one’s position for, or against, the impact porn has on society.
Therefore, in this article, we want to summarize some of the more compelling porn stats as reported by the Barna Group.
No spin.
No manipulation of the data.
Just the real numbers.
What makes something porn?
84% of adults 25+ agree that if sex scenes make up most or all of a video, with very little storyline it’s porn.
61% of adults 25+ agree that close-ups or still pictures of the genitalia should be defined as porn.
26% of adults 25+ feel that fully nude still pictures are porn.
32% of adults 25+ believe that chatting or texting about sexual acts with someone you do not know personally is porn.
11% of adults 25+ feel that a partially nude show or dance is porn.
Porn Use
49% of young adults (18-24) say all or most of their friends use porn on a regular basis.
41% of young males (13-24) who are practicing Christians actively seek out porn at least once or twice a month.
33% of Americans seek out porn at least once a month.
57% of young adults seek out porn at least once a month.
46% of men seek out porn at least once a month.
63% of U.S. teens and adults 13 and older claim to search for porn for the purposes of personal arousal.
27% of older Millennials started viewing porn prior to puberty.
Sexting
40% of teens and young adults who actively seek out porn have sent a nude picture to someone.
62% of teens and young adults report receiving a nude image from someone else via text, email, social media or app.
Porn and Culture
66% of young adults (18-24) rarely or never talk to their friends about porn.
55% of adults 25+ say viewing porn is wrong.
32% of teens and young adults say viewing porn is wrong
31% of young adults say porn is bad for society.
59% of U.S. teens, young adults and adults 25+ who are practicing Christians say porn is bad for society while only 16% of those who aren’t feel the same way.
50% of Millennials believe porn’s impact on society is negative.
77% of weekly porn users claim they are comfortable with how much porn they use.
39% of teens and adults 13 and older who are practicing Christians claim they are comfortable with how much porn they use while 40% would rather not use porn at all.
Only 50% of daily porn users say porn featuring teens is wrong.
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Join the Live Free CommunityPorn in the Church
20% of youth pastors admit to currently struggling with porn.
14% of all pastors admit to currently struggling with porn.
34% of all pastors believe they are more at risk of porn temptation when compared to other professions.
53% of all pastors within the last 12 months has learned that someone they know in ministry struggles with porn.
41% of pastors say that the nature of their job makes it easier to use pornography secretly.
64% of pastors who use porn believe that it has on some level negatively impacted their ministry.
75% of practicing Christians believe that porn is a bigger problem for the Church now than it was 20 years ago.
Only 38% of pastors say porn use is a major (3%) or significant (35%) problem in their church.
59% of practicing Christian married men have sought a pastor’s help for porn use.
Only 19% of practicing Christians who use porn are currently trying to stop.
52% of senior pastors and 72% of youth pastors have recommended accountability to those who have sought their help.
Just 7% of pastors say their church has a ministry program for those struggling with porn.
Only 14% of youth pastors believe porn is a big problem among teens in their church.
41% of self-identified Christians say a pastor should be fired if he uses porn.
Stopping Porn Use
87% of adults 25+ say they have no one in their life who is helping them avoid pornography.
91% of U.S. self-identified Christians 25+ say counseling is very or somewhat effective for dealing with porn use.
83% of U.S. self-identified Christians 25+ say accountability groups are very or somewhat effective for dealing with porn use.
71% of U.S. self-identified Christians 25+ say internet monitoring or filtering is very or somewhat effective for dealing with porn use.
Our Conclusion
The beauty of numbers is is that they tell a story. And that story is not biased by preference or prejudice. Therefore, make your own conclusion from the stats on porn presented, but keep in mind this: These numbers are based on what people were willing to report.
Regardless, based on the data, we feel the following observations are accurate.
First, people can’t agree on a solid definition for porn actually is.
This means it’s unwise to try to draw super defined boundaries based on a clear definition for “Porn.” Rather, decide for yourself what constitutes porn for you. Consequently, if you are using something to illicit sexual pleasure that is outside your spouse we believe that thing is porn for you.
Second, porn use is widespread regardless of faith practices. In other words, if you struggle with porn, you are not alone. Rather than isolate, find support and encouragement in a like-minded positive community like Live Free.
Third, whether or not one believes that porn use is wrong, very few people want to talk about it. Again, there is no reason to struggle in silence. If you are using porn and want to stop there is help right here in the Live Free Community.
Fourth, porn is a problem in the church and even within church leadership. However, very little is being done within the church to address this issue. If you are a church leader, Live Free can help you change that and assist you in building an effective program to help those in your church who need help.
Fifth, while the vast majority of porn users seeking help have no one in their life to help them, most agree that accountability groups are very effective when it comes to stopping porn use. The bottom line is we need people in our lives to be successful. Get the accountability and support you need today.
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