HABITUAL BROWSING OF EXPLICIT VIDEOS ON PORN SITES:

CONSEQUENCES TO THE SOCIAL SKILLS OF A TEENAGER

A Research Paper Presented to the Faculty of

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Dadiangas North High School,

Santol Street, General Santos City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject

Practical Research 1

Presented

By:

Acharon, Kimberly

Ca-an, Shella Mae

Cedrome, Condralyn

Perreras, Sofiah Gabrielle

2023
 CHAPTER I

Introduction

Pornography can be simply explained as videos that reveals genitalia.

Other various researchers. According to Laili (2018), pornography can be

understood as an act that involves sexual conduct or sexual exploitation,

which goes against the moral norms of society. This implies that pornography

involves behaviors or representations that are deemed morally unacceptable

by societal standards. Additionally, Laili mentions acts of extreme exposure of

the aurat, referring to the revealing of intimate parts of the body that are

typically considered private. Manju George et al. (2019) describe pornography

as non-relational sex that lacks requirements for relational intimacy. In this

context, pornography is characterized as sexual encounters or

representations that do not involve emotional or personal connections

between the individuals involved. Alan McKee et al. (2020) define

pornography as sexually explicit materials intended to elicit arousal. This

definition focuses on the explicit nature of pornography and its purpose of

stimulating sexual desires or interests. Katerina Litsou et al. (2020) highlight

that pornography can provide informative content about the mechanics of sex.

This suggests that pornography may offer insights into the physical aspects

and techniques related to sexual activities. Ashton, McDonald, and Kirkman

(2020) emphasize that pornography is omnipresent, easily accessible, and

offers stimulating sexual content. They further note that pornography plays an
increasing role in shaping social meaning and women's sexual lives, including

their relationships.

Since the pandemic began, the most contentious issue has been

pornography, particularly in the Philippines, where the number of people

visiting porn sites has skyrocketed. In December 2021, there were almost 3

million cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines. While some Filipinos use the

internet for “online inuman” or connect with others on various social media

platforms, others had also regular encounters with different pornographic

websites. The country topped the list worldwide with the most time spent

watching pornographic videos in a single visit in the same year (2021)

according to PornHub, one of the popular global porn sites (Garcia, 2021).

Other studies claim that pornography can be educational, while others

claim that pornography violates moral standards. According to Laili (2018)

pornography can be described as an act that constitutes sexual conduct or

sexual exploitation which violates the moral norms of society or acts of

extreme exposure of the aurat, and according to Katerina Litsou et al. (2020)

pornography can offer useful information about the mechanics of sex, and this

is particularly pertinent for young gay men. Although these two meanings are

at odds with one another, it makes sense given that pornography can have

both positive and harmful impacts. There were various of researches that

states about the effects of pornography but there were lacks of researches on

what actually motivates teenagers to watch porn.

 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

1. What makes the teenager get attracted to constant viewing of explicit

videos on porn sites?

2. How does the habit manifest the behavior in the teenager? , and what

are the manifested behavior?

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

The general intent and focus of this study is to know the consequences

of constant porn viewing to the social skills of a Teenager. The researchers

limited this study and conducted it only at Dadiangas North High School

during the second semester of the school year 2022-2023. The researchers

have planned to interview one particular individual only.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will help other people to watch what they view more

carefully and to be aware that this type of habit is either under their control or

not. This will also be beneficial because it will help others understand why

people who constantly view porn behave in this way. In order to avoid

conflicts and misunderstandings, it is also important to know how to respond

to this kind of behavior and attitude.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

For a better understanding of the study, a few terms that will be frequently

used are listed.

Pornography. According to (https://www.britannica.com) pornography,

representation of sexual behaviour in books, pictures, statues, films, and other

media that is intended to cause sexual excitement.

Psychosocial. According to (https://en.wikipedia.org)

psychosocial approach looks at individuals in the context of the combined

influence that psychological factors and the surrounding social environment

have on their physical and mental wellness and their ability to function.

Behavior. According to (https://www.google.com) the way in which one

acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others.

Aurat. According to (https://en.bab.la/dictionary/malay-english/aurat )

private parts. Those parts of the body that cannot be exposed or should be

covered.
 CHAPTER II

Review of Related Literatures and Theoretical Framework

This chapter presents a review of related literature, studies, and

Theoretical framework which are significantly related to the present study.

2.1 Defining and Describing Pornography

When defining and describing pornography, several aspects emerge from

the studies conducted by various researchers. According to Laili (2018),

pornography can be understood as an act that involves sexual conduct or

sexual exploitation, which goes against the moral norms of society. This

implies that pornography involves behaviors or representations that are

deemed morally unacceptable by societal standards. Additionally, Laili

mentions acts of extreme exposure of the aurat, referring to the revealing of

intimate parts of the body that are typically considered private. Manju George

et al. (2019) describe pornography as non-relational sex that lacks

requirements for relational intimacy. In this context, pornography is

characterized as sexual encounters or representations that do not involve

emotional or personal connections between the individuals involved. Alan

McKee et al. (2020) define pornography as sexually explicit materials

intended to elicit arousal. This definition focuses on the explicit nature of

pornography and its purpose of stimulating sexual desires or interests.

Katerina Litsou et al. (2020) highlight that pornography can provide

informative content about the mechanics of sex. This suggests that

pornography may offer insights into the physical aspects and techniques

related to sexual activities. Ashton, McDonald, and Kirkman (2020)

emphasize that pornography is omnipresent, easily accessible, and offers

stimulating sexual content. They further note that pornography plays an

increasing role in shaping social meaning and women's sexual lives, including

their relationships. This perspective acknowledges the influence of

pornography on individuals' sexual experiences and the broader cultural

context in which it is consumed. In summary, these studies provide different

dimensions for defining and describing pornography. They highlight its

violation of societal moral norms, its lack of relational intimacy, its sexually

explicit nature intended to arouse, its potential to offer information about

sexual mechanics, and its impact on women's sexual lives and relationships

as a contributor to social meaning making.

2.2 Pornography and its Effects

The research on pornography and its effects reveals several significant

findings related to individuals' ethical behavior, psychological well-being, and

social functioning. Nathan W. Mecham et al. (2021) discovered that

pornography consumption is linked to decreased ethical behavior. This

relationship is mediated by an increased tendency to morally disengage,

which occurs as a result of dehumanization of others through the consumption

of pornography. In other words, viewing pornography can lead to a diminished

sense of empathy and moral responsibility towards others. Basel (2021) found
that online exposure to pornography is associated with various behavioral

outcomes. Specifically, individuals exposed to pornography online tend to

display higher scores in externalizing problems, such as rule-breaking and

aggressive behavior. However, they also exhibit higher competences in

activities and social interaction. Setyawati, Hartini, and Suryanto (2020)

focused on the impact of internet pornography on adolescents. They observed

that exposure to pornographic content on the internet can lead to cognitive

and affective changes. Adolescents may develop obsessive-compulsive

thoughts related to sexual content, constantly desiring to view explicit material

repeatedly. This obsession can lead to sleep disorders due to recurring

visualizations of sexual scenes. Himani Adarsh et al. (2023) explored the

long-term effects of early and excessive exposure to pornography during

adolescence. They discovered that such exposure can have detrimental

effects on sexual maturation, sexual behavior, Internet addiction, and overall

personality development. Unregulated and excessive consumption of

pornography during the formative years of adolescence can lead to adverse

outcomes in these areas. The psychological and social impact of excessive

pornography consumption was examined by Agustina, Austuti, and Winarti

(2022). They found that individuals who excessively consume pornography

may experience irritability, difficulty concentrating, stress, guilt, frustration,

feelings of depression, difficulty sleeping, and psychosomatic symptoms.

Furthermore, pornography addicts may encounter challenges in establishing

interpersonal relationships, tending to withdraw, prefer silence, and feel

disconnected from society. In summary, the effects of pornography

encompass diminished ethical behavior, changes in cognition and affect for

sexual stimulation among adolescents, long-term negative consequences on

sexual maturation and behavior, psychological distress, and difficulties in

social functioning. These findings highlight the multifaceted impact of

pornography on individuals' well-being and interpersonal dynamics.

2.3 Experiences of habitual porn viewers

The experiences of habitual porn viewers are characterized by several

common themes, as outlined by various researchers in their respective

studies. According to Sophia Hanseder et al. (2023), a significant number of

participants reported being unable to control their consumption of

pornography despite experiencing negative effects. This suggests a lack of

ability to stop engaging with pornographic content despite adverse

consequences. David P. Fernandez et al. (2021) found that many participants

described their journey towards recovery from excessive pornography

consumption as triggered by the increasing negative consequences of their

sexual behavior. These negative consequences served as a catalyst for their

decision to initiate the recovery process. The use of internet pornography (IP)

was found to have various psychosocial impacts, as highlighted by Palazzolo

and Betman (2020). Users reported diminished positive mental health and

overall well-being, detrimental effects on their relationships and intimacy, and

symptoms of dependency attributed to their use of pornography. In relation to

the influence of pornography on women's sexual self-perception, Susanna

Paasonen (2021) noted that respondents often contextualized their

pornographic fantasies based on assumed female preferences. Participants

also addressed the complex and ambivalent roles that pornography played in

shaping their understanding of their own sexual identities. The research

conducted by Urzula Martyniuk (2019) revealed a positive association

between pornography use and specific content preferences. The link was

particularly strong for less conventional or less widespread sexual practices.

However, a noteworthy proportion of participants expressed no interest in

experiencing the activities they enjoyed in pornography, especially when it

came to unconventional activities. This suggests that pornography may create

a distinct form of sexuality, establishing an "intimate space" for sexual

fantasies. Taken together, these studies shed light on the experiences of

habitual porn viewers, emphasizing the challenges of controlling consumption,

the negative consequences faced, psychosocial impacts, self-perception, and

the distinct nature of pornography in relation to sexual fantasies.

2.4 Things that motivates teenagers to watch porn

When examining the motivations behind teenagers' consumption of

pornography, various studies have identified several common themes. Based

on a literature review and qualitative analysis, Beáta Bőthe et al. (2020)

identified the most prevalent Pornography Use Motivations (PUM). These

include sexual pleasure, sexual curiosity, emotional distraction or

suppression, stress reduction, fantasy, boredom avoidance, lack of sexual

satisfaction, and self-exploration. Through the development of items and

confirmatory factor analyses, strong psychometric properties were observed.

Vlad Burtăverde et al. (2021) conducted a study grouping these motivations

into categories through factor analyses. They found four dimensions of

reasons for watching pornography: increased sex drive, enhancing sexual

performance, social and instrumental reasons, and lack of relational and

emotional skills. Charlotte R. Esplin et al. (2020) discovered that sexually

based motivations were consistent for both males and females in their use of

pornography. Additionally, educationally based motivations were found to

predict accidental exposure to pornography, while emotions such as sadness

and tiredness predicted longer durations of pornography use. These findings

suggest that motivations for viewing pornography are similar between genders

and that sexual reasons and emotions play a significant role in individuals'

decision to consume pornography. Joshua B. Grubbs et al. (2018), through a

comprehensive review of over 130 studies, demonstrated that pornography is

predominantly consumed for pleasure-seeking purposes. It was also

associated with an increase in casual or impersonal approaches to sexuality

and predicted more pleasure-oriented approaches to sexual behavior. Ateret

Gewirtz-Meydan et al. (2021) hypothesized that pornography use would

mediate the relationship between insecure attachment orientations and body

image self-consciousness. Although specific findings related to teenagers

were not mentioned, this study suggests a potential link between attachment

styles, body image concerns, and pornography consumption. In summary, the

motivations behind teenagers' consumption of pornography encompass

seeking sexual pleasure, curiosity, emotional distraction or suppression,

stress reduction, fantasy, boredom avoidance, lack of sexual satisfaction, and

self-exploration. These motivations can be categorized into dimensions such

as increased sex drive, enhancing sexual performance, social and

instrumental reasons, and a lack of relational and emotional skills. Pleasure-

seeking appears to be a primary motivation for pornography use, with

potential connections to attachment orientations and body image self-

consciousness.

2.5 Pornography to relationships

Research consistently indicates a negative association between pornography

viewing and romantic relationship quality. Multiple studies have examined

various aspects of this relationship: Huntington, Markman & Rhoades (2020)

investigated the associations between changes in pornography viewing over

time and relationship characteristics. They explored how fluctuations in

pornography consumption relate to factors such as relationship satisfaction,

intimacy, trust, and communication. Wright & Herbenick (2022) conducted an

exploratory study using a campus-representative probability sample of

graduate students. They found a small but significant negative correlation

between more frequent pornography consumption and lower relational

satisfaction, consistent with previous meta-analytic findings. The study

examined potential moderating factors such as gender, sexual orientation,

race, relational length, religious participation, and moral disapproval of

pornography. Hertlein, Molina & Mooers (2020) focused on collaborative

pornography viewing within relationships. Their findings suggested that

engaging in such activities enabled negotiation practice, improved relationship

communication, normalized pornography viewing within the relationship, and

facilitated increased conversations. These results supported previous

recommendations that viewing pornography together may have positive

effects on certain aspects of the relationship. Dan J. Miller et al. (2019) found

that pornography use was associated with relationship dissatisfaction in one

of their studies. However, their data did not support the notion that

pornography negatively impacted sexual or relationship satisfaction through a

preference for porn-like sex. In fact, it suggested that pornography might

enhance sexual satisfaction by promoting sexual variety. Samuel L. Perry

(2020) conducted a comprehensive study examining the association between

pornography use and relationship quality. Their findings consistently indicated

either no association or a negative association between pornography use and

relationship outcomes. Pornography use was rarely associated with positive

relationship quality. Gender occasionally played a moderating role, although

inconsistently. In summary, research demonstrates that pornography viewing

is cross-sectionally and longitudinally linked to poorer romantic relationship

quality. It shows negative associations with relationship satisfaction, while

collaborative viewing may have some potential benefits. Although the impact

of pornography on relationships varies and is influenced by factors like

gender, overall findings consistently suggest a negative or neutral relationship

between pornography use and relationship quality.

 CHAPTER III

This chapter discusses the research design used, the role of the

researcher, the research participant involved in the study; the selection

process; data collection used to gather the data; the treatment of the gathered

data, trustworthiness, and ethical considerations utilized in the study.

Research Methodology

Our team interviewed our one selected respondent, who is the person

who continuously watches explicit video and displayed a behavior brought on

by constant viewing of explicit video, and asked her/him questions we had

prepared in order to obtain the data we were after. The use of individual

interviews rather than surveys is significantly more significant in order to elicit

more thorough and in-depth responses to our questions. The general public or

other porn viewers may be impacted by their responses, but not entirely. As a

result, we had enough time to collect the necessary data for the study.

Research Design

The researchers employ a case study method. A case study is an in-

depth, detailed examination of a particular case (or cases) within a real-world

context. A case study research design usually involves qualitative methods,

but quantitative methods are sometimes also used. Case studies are good

for describing, comparing, evaluating and understanding different aspects of

a research problem. Rarely do qualitative analysts conduct measurements in

the traditional sense used by scientific disciplines; instead, they prefer to

examine data for patterns that indicate or reveal new information that

advances knowledge. The terms "qualitative" and "quantitative," as defined,

offer some insight into the nature of the data gathered. As a result, the only

distinction between these two research methodologies may be in the type of

data used; qualitative research is more interested in numerical data than

quantitative research is in text or other non-numerical data. However, this

discrepancy is only apparent on the surface.

Research Locale

Dadiangas North High School (DNHS), which is our school and was

chosen for the study because it demonstrates the behaviors of a regular porn

viewer, was the site of the research. This study was applied to a student's

senior high school curriculum at DNHS. The responses of the respondents to

the survey questions have been collected for this study. The research project

was carried out on his or her property, either in the classroom or at home.

Research Instrument

The survey is set up to work as a semi-structured interview. It is frequently

preceded by observation and unstructured, informal interviews so that

researchers can develop pertinent and insightful semi-structured questions

after thoroughly understanding the subject of interest. To get firsthand

information from a respondent and come to logical and sound conclusions, a

semi-structured interview is required. To obtain firsthand information from

respondents and create sensible and sound findings and recommendations,

the study advises using a semi-structured interview. Data Gathering

Procedure In order to conduct this study, we read articles about the

pornographic subject matter. After making observations, we developed our

research questions. Finally, and most importantly for this study, we

interviewed a respondent who regularly watches porn and asked questions

about their struggles or the behaviors they displayed as a result.

 Participant’s Chapter IV

Ta ble 1

Information

Assumed Gender Age Address High School

Name Level

Liling Female 19 Silway, 1st Year

Fatima Senior High

Barangay

Dadiangas

West, G. S. C

Description of the Participant

There were only one key informant in this study; one girl that has the

manifested the habit of an habitual porn viewer. The only one participant used

the pseudonym “Liling”. And another key info

Participant 1 is named Liling residing at General Santos City. She is 19 years

old and studies at Dadiangas North Highschool. She is a student and a

teenage mother.

The participant answered the same set of questions. She voluntarily revealed

her habitual browsing of pornographic videos on porn sites, it’s effect on her

and who and what are the things that encourage her to watch. The

researchers did not encounter difficulties meeting with the respondent,

although the respondent’s responses were a little vague.

Categorization of data

This is where the researcher presents the analysis of themes on the

description of the participant on her experience, specifically the study of her

views, feelings, and insights about the habits she manifested in viewing porn.

In constructing the thematic analysis table, the researchers checked if the

result focused on the validity of the findings.

The thematic analysis on the views of the participant about her perspective

as a habitual porn viewer. The table shows the contextual data, coding

concept and structure, and the themes drawn from the participant’s

responses.

Table 2
Thematic Analysis on the What makes the teenager get attracted to

constant viewing of explicit videos on porn sites?

Essential Themes Emergent Themes

1. It is because of my childhood Peer Influenced

friends whom I would always go to

the internet shop to.

2. They encouraged me to watch it.

1. I was really curious on what porn Curiosity

videos contains.

Peer Influenced

The respondent was motivated to watch porn by her friends. According to

Vlad Burtăverde et al. (2021) conducted a study grouping these motivations

into categories through factor analyses. They found four dimensions of

reasons for watching pornography: increased sex drive, enhancing sexual

performance, social and instrumental reasons, and lack of relational and

emotional skills. Social and instrumental reasons were the ones who

motivated her to watch.

“They were people that influenced me to

watch it, there were mostly my
childhood friends, they would invite me
to go to an internet café, and we’d go to
the most hidden spot and we’d watch it
there.”
 Curiosity

The respondent also stated that one of the main reason that motivated her

or attracted her to watch porn was her curiosity. According to Beáta Bőthe et

al. (2020) identified the most prevalent Pornography Use Motivations (PUM).

These include sexual pleasure, sexual curiosity, emotional distraction or

suppression, stress reduction, fantasy, boredom avoidance, lack of sexual

satisfaction, and self-exploration. This supported that possible things that

attracts people from watching porn is curiosity.

“I was curious of what

pornography videos contains, I
was curious how it would look like
and what they are doing.”

Thematic Analysis on the How does the habit manifest the behavior in

the teenager and what are the manifested behavior?

Essential Theme Emergent Theme

1. Sudden feeling of horniness. Sexual Neediness

2. Habits of self gratification.

3. Sexual imaginations towards the

opposite sex.

1. Needing to sneak in someone’s Rebellious Behavior

phone to just watch it.

2. Encourages other people to watch

it.
 Sexual Neediness

The respondent stated that the effects of porn viewing to her is that she

was sexual needy. She gets horny, need to self pleasure and visualizes

sexual scenes of the opposite sex. According to Setyawati, Hartini, and

Suryanto (2020) focused on the impact of internet pornography on

adolescents. They observed that exposure to pornographic content on the

internet can lead to cognitive and affective changes. Adolescents may

develop obsessive-compulsive thoughts related to sexual content, constantly

desiring to view explicit material repeatedly. This obsession can lead to sleep

disorders due to recurring visualizations of sexual scenes.

“When I first watch porn my body suddenly felt hot

and that I feel like I want to do what they are
doing in the video and when it became a habit to
me, I had the habit to self gratify. I would also
think or imagine guys.”

Rebellious Behavior

The respondent also developed a rebellious behavior of sneaking in

her mother’s phone just to watch porn and she was also encouraging other

people to watch it. According to Basel (2021) found that online exposure to

pornography is associated with various behavioral outcomes. Specifically,

individuals exposed to pornography online tend to display higher scores in

externalizing problems, such as rule-breaking and aggressive behavior.

However, they also exhibit higher competences in activities and social

interaction.

“I would always sneak in my Mother’s phone if I had

the chance and do it in my room. When I started to be
interested in porn, I adapted it. Suddenly I would just
feel horny. When I became addicted to it, I was now
also one of those people who encourages people to
 Chapter Summary

Based on the responses obtained during the in-depth interviews, the

first table contained the participant’s details, including her name, gender, age,
and location. The second table encompassed the themes derived from the
descriptions provided by the respondent regarding the experiences of a
Teenager who frequently watch explicit videos. These themes included peer
influence, and curiosity.

Furthermore, the participant admitted to facing a variety of difficulties

as a result of her habitual porn viewing. This usage caused behavioral
modifications; however, she also had periods of sexual neediness, which
contributed to the emergence and subsequent rise of sexual undesirable
behavior.
 Chapter V

The main purpose of this study was to know what motivates and

attracts teenagers into watching porn and what are the effects of watching too

much.

Based on the results of the study, the challenges in being an habitual

porn viewer have emerged into four themes: Peer Influenced, Curiosity,

Sexual Neediness, and Rebellious Behavior.

Peer Influenced

The respondent was motivated to watch porn by her friends. She had

stated that because of them she was encouraged to watch porn. Her

statement was then supported by Vlad Burtăverde et al. (2021) as in their

research it has stated that one of the factors that motivates people in watching

porn are social and instrumental reasons.

Curiosity
 The respondent also stated that one of the main reason that motivated her

or attracted her to watch porn was her curiosity. She was curious of what porn

contains and what they look like. It was then supported by Beáta Bőthe et al.

(2020) that factors that motivates teenagers to watch porn is curiosity.

Sexual Neediness

The respondent stated that the effects of porn viewing to her is that she

was sexual needy. She gets horny, need to self pleasure and visualizes

sexual scenes of the opposite sex. This was then supported by Setyawati,

Hartini, and Suryanto (2020) that too much pornography consumption can

lead to constantly desiring to view explicit material repeatedly. This obsession

can lead to sleep disorders due to recurring visualizations of sexual scenes.

Rebellious Behavior

The respondent also developed a rebellious behavior of sneaking in her

mother’s phone just to watch porn and she was also encouraging other

people to watch it. This was then supported by Basel (2021) that consuming

too much pornography or exposure from it can lead to rule-breaking or

aggressive behavior.

Implications for future research

 The study, which has a sample of only one participant, has limitations in

terms of generalization. To further investigate the challenges faced by

habitual porn viewers, similar studies using a larger sample and replication

may be considered in the future. This study can help teenagers better

understand the behaviors of habitual porn viewers. Similarly, future research

may be conducted with the original participant to see if their experiences and

perceptions have changed over time. Future research may focus on the

challenges that the participant experienced and how they influence habitual

porn viewing. It would be beneficial to perform more research on the

experiences of other teenagers who have similar habits in order to gain a

better understanding of their perspectives.

Concluding Remarks

This study has shown us that many people judge porn viewers, and this

can be difficult to understand given our conservative country's views. It is

important to try our best to understand people, and this study has helped us

develop a deeper level of understanding. We can see that the challenges

experienced by our participant Liling are controversial in our conservative

country, but we were able to have an open mind and learn more about her

experiences. This research was conducted to educate people on the

challenges faced by habitual porn viewers and why they act in the ways that

they do. We have learned a lot from this study and feel enlightened by the

results.