Adolescents’ Subjective Views on Smartphone Pornography: Q Methodology

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore adolescents’ perceptions and attitudes toward smartphone pornography. This study investigates the subjective factors influencing the perceptions and attitudes of adolescents who have watched smartphone pornography. Adolescents’ perspectives on experiencing smartphone pornography were collected through interviews and classified using Q methodology. The participants in this study are fifty Korean middle school students who have had the experience of watching pornography on smartphones. A total of forty Q samples were sorted in accordance with a Q sorting distribution. The Q analysis using a QUANL program produced four distinct factors. Factor A shows conservative inclinations against the use of pornography based on moral principles. Factor B demonstrates an intriguing bipolar factor, representing a dichotomy of views that can be assimilated to oversusceptible asceticism. Factor C includes those who are willing to control the viewing of pornography by themselves, but also enlisting social and institutional support. Factor D is comprised of those who use pornography on smartphones without scruples. The results suggest that adolescents’ perceptions and attitudes toward smartphone pornography vary, but can be categorized according to predominant features. This study determines that there is an undeniable need for continuous discussions with respect to adolescents’ use of smartphone pornography.