Abstract
The unprecedented accessibility and affordability of online sexually explicit material (SEM) has facilitated widespread use among adolescents and growing concerns over adverse reproductive health outcomes. Although SEM-induced risky sexual behavior is among key concerns, there is a paucity of longitudinal research addressing this issue. This study aimed to assess the longitudinal association between frequency of SEM use and risky sexual behavior among adolescents in two independent 5-wave panel samples of Croatian adolescents (n = 368; n = 247). The indicators of risky sexual behavior were: (1) not using a condom at most recent sexual intercourse, and (2) reporting two or more sexual partners. Multilevel logistic regression analysis with a lagged component was used to explore the associations of interest. Controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, pubertal timing and sensation seeking, frequency of SEM use was not associated with the two indicators of sexual risk taking. This study’s findings are relevant for health and educational experts, but also for concerned parents.
Highlights
In the last two decades, the proliferation of Internet use and advances in supporting technologies have made sexually explicit material (SEM) widely available and increasingly accessible [1]
Risky sexual practices among adolescents include early sexual debut, which has been found to be systematically associated to reproductive health risks, such as unprotected sexual intercourse and multiple sexual partners [5]
A more substantial increase in SEM use over time was observed in the Zagreb panel (MT1 = 2.97 to MT5 = 3.45), compared to the Rijeka panel (MT1 = 3.02 to MT5 = 3.09)
Summary
In the last two decades, the proliferation of Internet use and advances in supporting technologies have made sexually explicit material (SEM) widely available and increasingly accessible [1] This has resulted in widespread SEM use among adolescents [2,3]. Such dynamics have triggered considerable concerns among parents, policy makers and the scientific community about potentially harmful outcomes associated with SEM use. Among these concerns, suggested links between SEM and adverse adolescent health outcomes— in the form of sexual and reproductive health risks—occupy a central position [4]. Among risky sexual behaviors, unprotected sexual intercourse is often the center of attention because it increases one’s risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
