ACPeds Publishes Updated Paper on the Harms of Pornography on Children

August 15, 2024

For More Information Contact: connect@acpeds.org

Atlanta, GA – Today, the American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) has published an updated paper on the harms of pornography on children.  The paper finds that consumption of pornography is associated with many negative emotional, psychological, sociological, and physical health outcomes.  These include increased rates of depression, anxiety, acting out and violent behavior, younger age of sexual debut, sexual promiscuity, increased risk of teen pregnancy, child sex abuse, sexual trafficking, and a distorted view of relationships between men and women. For adults, pornography results in an increased likelihood of divorce which is also harmful to children. 

Dr. David Perry, ACPeds Board Member and primary author, made the following statement:

“Pornography is a societal epidemic that harms children’s mental, emotional, social, and physical health.  ACPeds urges healthcare professionals to communicate the risks of pornography use to patients and their families and to offer resources both to protect children from viewing pornography and to treat children already suffering from its wide-ranging negative effects.”

Click here to read the full paper, here for the factsheet, and here for the parent handout.

To arrange an interview with Dr. Perry of the American College of Pediatricians, please contact connect@acpeds.org.

The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) is a national medical association of licensed physicians and healthcare professionals who specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. It was founded by a group of concerned physicians who saw the need for a pediatric organization that would not be influenced by the politically driven pronouncements of the day. The mission of the ACPeds is to enable all children to reach their optimal physical and emotional health and well-being. The ACPeds is committed to fulfilling its mission by producing sound policy, based upon the best available research, to assist parents and to influence society in the endeavor of childrearing.