Effects of Media on Sexual Behaviors

Abstract

Mainstream media, including traditional media and pornography, heavily portray visual and verbal references to sexual activities and relationships. Such sexual media content varies from subtle and suggestive (e.g., sexist comments, general sexual behavior) to explicit (e.g., pornographic scenes). In addition, individuals can create sexual content themselves. User‐generated content (i.e., sexting) therefore significantly includes sexual references as well. These various types of sexual content may influence sexual behavior in different ways. Sexual content in traditional media generally follows sexually objectifying gender scripts and emphasizes sex as risk‐ and responsibility‐free, and non‐committed. Overall, sexual media consumption is positively related to sexual experiences, and general and sexual risk behavior. Mainstream pornography strongly represents sexual activities as violent and aggressive, objectifying, and degrading, and resolutely skews away from intimacy and safe sex practices. In general, a positive link emerges between mainstream pornography consumption and sexual aggression, while evidence regarding risky sexual behavior and sexual experiences is mixed. With respect to user‐generated content, sexting has predominantly been associated with sexual risk behavior and engagement in various sexual activities. It is important to note that a multi‐component perspective on sexual media behavioral outcomes should be adopted when examining the relation between sexual media content and sexual behaviors. First, the observed associations are oftentimes indirect and mediated by individual cognitions, attitudes, and beliefs. Second, the behavioral effects of sexual media are typically conditional: individual differences, contextual characteristics, and media‐related factors heavily influence the relationship. Third, sexual media exposure is one of many socializing agents shaping sexual behavior.