by David Garner

Created on: April 30, 2008   Last Updated: August 25, 2009

Internet Pornography: Harmless Fun?

I think its all about the statistics. Pages of histrionic prose, itself the result of rigorous research and investigation, could never overshadow the statistics associated with pornography on the internet. $97bn in worldwide revenue in 2006 which, according to the UK 2007 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review, is approximately 50% of the UK Government expenditure on health. Surprised? Let's see;

UK Budget Group Expenditure $bn

Housing & Environment 42
Public Order & Safety 63
Industry, Agriculture & Training 40
Education 150

So in other words the global revenue in internet pornography equates to 65% of the UK budget for education. This means a daily expenditure of $265m or $3,075.64 every second. You may be even more surprised to learn that both China and South Korea exceed the US with 28% and 27% respectively of worldwide revenue. The US achieves only 14%.

The statistics can be digested ad nauseam. In fact the total revenue of internet pornography exceeds the combined revenue of Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Ebay, Yahoo, Apple, Netflix and Earthlink. Had enough? The financial statistics are only overshadowed by the human facts which are even more disturbing. Of all search engine requests 25% relate to pornography, but the startling fact here is the demographic group. The largest consumer group for internet pornography today is the 12-17 age-group. And approximately 90 % of 8-16 year olds have viewed pornography via the internet. It is also estimated that the average age that someone first encounters pornography on the internet is 11. This may surprise some of you who still imagine the middle-aged unmarried man in his dirty trench-coat, frequenting seedy sex shops in Soho.

Pornography is a complicated subject which in recent years has become more socially accepted, but still evokes a kaleidoscope of opinion. It is now seen as innocuous fun and although still not openly acknowledged will, in general, be quietly accepted without even a raised eyebrow. It is used as a therapy tool, or as an element of foreplay in some relationships, and may even be accepted by female partners as a good lad's night out' as harmless as a few beers. But is it harmless? In the Guardian 22nd December 2007 Marina Hyde wrote that "porn is screwing up young men's expectations of sex" Naomi Wolf stated that most young people learn about sex through internet pornography. Ted Bundy blamed

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