Pornography is not a new phenomenon. However, the rise of the internet and social media means that pornography is more accessible, diverse and normalised than ever before. Significant concern has been raised about the potential harms of pornography including its impact on relationships, sexual risk behaviours, sexual violence and body image.
Our work focuses on pornography use among young people in the Australian context. We explore usage trends, gender differences, sexual health and sexual behaviour.
We also produce evidence to understand the potential impact, acceptance and feasibility of interventions that aim to reduce pornography harm. This includes interventions such as pornography education, age verification, and parental device controls.
2014–current.
Access to new technologies could present novel risks to young people’s sexual health. The emerging popularity of sexting, online pornography use, and dating apps has been linked in some studies to sexual risk behaviours (e.g. not using condoms or poor mental health).
This project will investigate previous interventions and provide recommendations for future public health approaches. A mixed methods approach will involve content analysis and review of existing health promotion relating to sexting, pornography, and other new sexual media.
The Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N' Roll study is an annual online survey investigating emerging issues of importance to young people’s health and wellbeing.
In this project, the student will use the data collected to investigate patterns of risk behaviours, knowledge, and health outcomes. This will involve quantitative analysis of the relationship between variables such as condom use, number of sexual partners, drug and alcohol use and perceptions of risk. The project could also involve in-depth qualitative data collection via content analysis, focus group discussions or interviews.
These findings, in the context of current public health measures, will be used to advise on the design of future health promotion campaigns.
The Gist is a digital resource co-designed with vulnerable youth to improve pornography literacy. Using a participatory approach, The Gist addresses early exposure to porn and aims to create an evidence-based tool to help young people critically understand and navigate online sexual content.
A lesson from The Gist: the sex you see in porn, media and culture isn’t always reflective of real life.
This article details the development of The Gist.
Episode 3 of a video series from The Gist.
Sexual Health
Ingrid Laemmle‐Ruff, Michelle Raggatt, Cassandra J. C. Wright, Elise R. Carrotte, Angela Davis, Rebecca Jenkinson, Megan S. C. Lim
The Journal of Sex Research
Angela Davis, Elise R. Carrotte, Margaret Hellard, Megan S. C. Lim
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
Alyce M. Vella, Megan S. C. Lim, Paul A. Agius, Elise R. Carrotte, Margaret Hellard, Megan S. C. Lim, Paul A. Agius, Elise R. Carrotte, Alyce M. Vella, Margaret Hellard
Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health
Megan S. C. Lim, Elise R. Carrotte, Margaret Hellard
Sex Education
Kirsten Roode, Megan S. C. Lim, Angela Davis, Cassandra J. C. Wright, Megan S. C. Lim, Kirsten Roode, Angela Davis, Cassandra J. C. Wright
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Angela Davis, Paul Dietze, Margaret Hellard, Megan S. C. Lim