Social networks, pornography and sexual practices, influences on the youth of the 21st century

Abstract

The current digital space in which young people operate offers them content and interactions that influence their personal and social development. Their experiences and affective-sexual education have been projected onto social networks, playing a central role in the identification of risk behaviors and prevention actions. With this commitment arises the present investigation from the "Preventive Project of risk and damage reduction with young people in party spaces", of the Civic Association for Prevention subsidized by the Junta de Andalucía, through which the habits of the young people in the use of social networks and its relationship with sexual practices and consumption of pornography. A total of 1,122 young people between the ages of 16 and 35 from the autonomous community of Andalusia participate in the study. The results confirm the natural and habitual space in which social networks have become for young people, with the Internet being the main source of information to which they turn to obtain information on sexuality. The consumption of pornography stands out among 72.3% of young people, accessing this content from an average age of 14 years. This scenario is conducive to perpetuating behaviors of violence and inequality towards women, as recognized by 80% of those surveyed. It is concluded on the urgency of identifying and optimizing good practice strategies, in all those internet spaces that offer adequate information-training related to sexual practices.