Australian Inquiry Finds Porn Isn’t ‘Inherently Harmful’

According to Phys.org, the New South Wales parliament just released Australia’s first state-based inquiry into pornography’s impacts, and the findings challenge conventional wisdom. The report concludes that porn isn’t “inherently harmful” and rejects oversimplified narratives. Research shows young Australians first access pornography around age 13 on average, with accidental exposure happening even earlier at age 11. Most teens who deliberately seek it out use internet searches or sites like Pornhub, while accidental exposure typically occurs through pop-ups, gaming sites, or peers. The committee gathered input from researchers, educators, parents, religious groups, sex workers, women’s rights organizations, the adult industry, and young people themselves.

The report gets surprisingly nuanced

Here’s what’s really interesting – this isn’t your typical moral panic response. The committee actually listened to young people and found they’re thinking critically about what they’re watching. Female and gender-diverse participants specifically called out their discomfort with “teen porn” and the male gaze. Many teens even noticed they were being algorithmically funneled toward popular categories like “step-family” content. That’s some pretty sophisticated media literacy for kids who supposedly can’t tell fantasy from reality.

Where sex ed is failing

The report highlights what many of us already suspected – current sex education isn’t cutting it. Young people, especially LGBTQIA+ youth who don’t see themselves represented in standard curriculum, are turning to porn for information. And get this – some are actively seeking out content that shows mutual pleasure and queer sex. They’re not just passive consumers; they’re looking for what they’re not getting elsewhere. The research even found that teens can detect when their parents are uncomfortable discussing porn, which makes them avoid bringing it up entirely.

The complicated reality of effects

Now, the report doesn’t pretend everything is fine. There are legitimate concerns about how porn might affect intimacy, reinforce gender stereotypes, and distort perceptions. But the evidence is surprisingly mixed. A 2021 systematic review found no clear correlation between porn consumption and understanding of sexual consent. Body image concerns are real – boys and young men comparing themselves to performers – but one 2020 study noted that young consumers felt porn offered more diverse body representation than other media. Basically, it’s complicated.

So what actually helps?

The recommendations are refreshingly practical. Instead of telling teens “porn is fantasy” (which they already know), the report suggests meaningful discussions that respect their existing wisdom. Schools should help parents have judgment-free conversations and provide guidance on preventing early access. There’s a clear call for better training and funding for educators, plus more research into how young people actually use and process porn. The full 66-page report and supporting documents like the online questionnaire analysis show this is about meeting young people where they are, not where we wish they were.