Pornography as a potential risk factor for violent and sexual offending

Abstract

This study investigates whether university students perceive sexually explicit media as a potential risk factor for violent and sexual offending, and whether perceptions vary by gender and age. Despite the widespread consumption of such material among young adults, their awareness of its potential harms remains underexplored in the literature. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was used. Data were collected via an anonymous online questionnaire distributed to University of Malta students, resulting in a final sample of 80 participants. Eight Likert-scale items assessed perceptions of the potential links between sexually explicit media and violence, aggression and harmful behaviour. Descriptive statistics, an independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyse the data. Findings indicate broad agreement across the sample that sexually explicit media poses risks in relation to violence and harmful behaviour, with a composite mean of M = 4.03 (SD = 0.71). Agreement was strongest around the potential for sexually explicit media to generate unrealistic sexual expectations and the need for policy and educational responses. A statistically significant gender difference was identified, with female participants reporting substantially higher risk perceptions than males. No significant age-related differences were found, though this result is treated as inconclusive given limited statistical power. These findings suggest that young adults hold a nuanced awareness of pornography-related harms consistent with established criminological frameworks. The study supports the case for gender-differentiated pornography literacy education and stronger policy engagement with the regulation of violent pornography.