INTERNET PORNOGRAPHY: A NEW FORM OF VULNERABILITY FOR THE YOUTH

The recent expansion of Internet-enabled technology has significantly changed how youth encounter and consume pornography. With the growth of the Internet, access to pornography has also increased manifold. The issue is more pertinent to the Indian society which is fast moving towards digitization with its ever-expanding internet base and a vast population of the youth. Youth is amongst the most vulnerable when it comes to the impact of negative consequences of exposure to pornography. Their still-developing sexual identity and the dynamic interplay of biological and social changes make them more prone to sexual experimentation. They are more likely to uncritically interpret pornography and perceive it as a realistic depiction of sexual activity. The purpose of this paper is, thus, to infer the vulnerability of the Indian youth towards the ill effects of internet pornography on the basis of recent (i.e., 2005 to present) literature. It deals with issues regarding the impact of Internet pornography on young people, sexual attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. The influence of cyber pornography on selfconcept, body image, social development has also been discussed. Finally, recommendations for future research regarding the psychologically healthy understanding of the sex issues have been discussed.