It affects your brain, hurts your partner, warps your ideas about sex, and has so many more impacts.
To put it simply, porn is unhealthy.
It’s harmful to you and to those around you. But just because porn is toxic, it doesn’t mean that those who use it are “bad” or inherently “toxic” people.
A couple’s story does not necessarily have to be defined by or end because of porn—we believe there is hope, especially for partners who equally and mutually want to fight for the relationship.
Sometimes, it is those who compulsive porn consumers are closest to who must have the biggest and deepest hope for the future.
Even so, it is up to every individual to decide what is best for them—if that means staying with a significant other who is working through a porn issue, or not.
If you are struggling with porn, or are the partner of someone who is, we encourage you to find support and lean in—whether that be your friends, family, or significant other.
Here are a few tips that can help you support a loved one while they choose to stop watching porn.
1. Be patient with their progress
Progress is rarely linear, and quitting porn cold turkey is the exception rather than the rule. Remember that setbacks aren’t failures; they’re usually just part of the process.
Focus on progress rather than perfection. Recovery takes time, and that’s okay.
2. Avoid shame
Porn is a sensitive issue, and your loved one may already feel a lot of shame about their porn habit. Regardless, research confirms that shame can actually fuel unhealthy porn habits rather than motivate real change.Gilliland, R., South, M., Carpenter, B. N., & Hardy, S. A. (2011). The roles of shame and guilt in hypersexual behavior. 18(1), 12-29. doi:10.1080/10720162.2011.551182Copy
Instead of using shame, remind them that they’re loved and worthwhile, even if it takes time for them to quit.
3. Spend time with them
When giving up an unhealthy habit, it’s best to replace it with healthy ones, so one of the best ways you can help is to actively engage with your loved one in healthy outlets.
Pick up a new hobby together, be exercise buddies, or check out a new coffee spot—just spend time together!
4. Recognize what’s best for you
While helping your loved one, don’t ignore your own needs and boundaries. Take the time you need to evaluate what is best for your own emotional health, both presently and in the long run.
5. Recognize that change isn’t always automatic
This goes for you and your loved one—the process may be frustrating for you and them, and it’s okay if you don’t respond perfectly every time.
Change takes time and practice, so be patient with them and yourself, and keep trying.
6. Educate yourself
Learning about pornography’s negative effects can help motivate you and your loved one in the recovery process.
You can educate yourself by reading our Get the Facts articles, which summarize the data on porn’s impacts, including why it can be difficult to quit.
7. Don’t police them
Be a safe space for your loved one to share openly and honestly, but try not to police their every move. It’s not your job to keep them on track.
Check in with them on how they’re doing, but don’t force them to share details that won’t be helpful to either of you.
8. Utilize resources
There are so many resources to help you and your loved one along the way—recovery platforms, support groups, conversation blueprints, resources for parents, etc.
You’re not alone in this!
Motivate change, heal relationships
The research is clear—porn is not a harmless pastime, especially when it’s hurting a romantic partner. But the research is also clear that shame is not an effective way to motivate someone to change.Brown, B. (2012). Understanding and combating shame. Daring greatly: How the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, love, parent, and lead. Avery.Copy
According to one study of individuals trying to quit porn, researchers found that shame actually predicted increased pornography consumption while guilt predicted sustainable change.Gilliland, R., South, M., Carpenter, B. N., & Hardy, S. A. (2011). The roles of shame and guilt in hypersexual behavior. 18(1), 12-29. doi:10.1080/10720162.2011.551182Copy
So if your loved one is trying to give up porn, be kind to yourself and be patient with their progress. Like anything, it takes time for the brain to recover, but daily efforts make a big difference in the long run.
On the surface, porn may seem harmless, or may even seem like a good way to learn more about sex. Maybe a committed relationship seems far away in the future, or you feel confident that a little porn won’t harm your relationships. But the research is clear—porn can have devastating impacts on relationships, both sexually and emotionally.
There is no substitute for real connection, and porn isn’t worth risking that.
Need help?
For those reading this who feel they are struggling with pornography, you are not alone. Check out Fortify, a science-based recovery platform dedicated to helping you find lasting freedom from pornography. Fortify now offers a free experience for both teens and adults. Connect with others, learn about your unwanted porn habit, and track your recovery journey. There is hope—sign up today.
Fight the New Drug may receive financial support from purchases made using affiliate links.
Help for partners
If your partner is struggling with porn, you are not alone—know that there is hope, and there is help. As you navigate this difficult situation, there are supportive communities and resources available to you. Below is a non-exhaustive list of several resources for those experiencing hurt because of their partner's porn consumption. Note that this isn't a complete resource list.
Disclaimer: For those who may find themselves involved in this sensitive situation, their responses can differ. This is why resources need to fit the specific needs of whoever is seeking them. Some of these resources are gender-specific, others are religiously-affiliated, others use a variety of approaches. Fight the New Drug is a non-religious and non-legislative awareness and education organization hoping to provide access to resources that are helpful to those who need support. Including this list of recommendations does not constitute an endorsement by Fight the New Drug.
Your Support Matters Now More Than Ever
Most kids today are exposed to porn by the age of 12. By the time they’re teenagers, 75% of boys and 70% of girls have already viewed itRobb, M.B., & Mann, S. (2023). Teens and pornography. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense.Copy —often before they’ve had a single healthy conversation about it.
Even more concerning: over half of boys and nearly 40% of girls believe porn is a realistic depiction of sexMartellozzo, E., Monaghan, A., Adler, J. R., Davidson, J., Leyva, R., & Horvath, M. A. H. (2016). “I wasn’t sure it was normal to watch it”: A quantitative and qualitative examination of the impact of online pornography on the values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of children and young people. Middlesex University, NSPCC, & Office of the Children’s Commissioner.Copy . And among teens who have seen porn, more than 79% of teens use it to learn how to have sexRobb, M.B., & Mann, S. (2023). Teens and pornography. San Francisco, CA: Common Sense.Copy . That means millions of young people are getting sex ed from violent, degrading content, which becomes their baseline understanding of intimacy. Out of the most popular porn, 33%-88% of videos contain physical aggression and nonconsensual violence-related themesFritz, N., Malic, V., Paul, B., & Zhou, Y. (2020). A descriptive analysis of the types, targets, and relative frequency of aggression in mainstream pornography. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 49(8), 3041-3053. doi:10.1007/s10508-020-01773-0Copy Bridges et al., 2010, “Aggression and Sexual Behavior in Best-Selling Pornography Videos: A Content Analysis,” Violence Against Women.Copy .
From increasing rates of loneliness, depression, and self-doubt, to distorted views of sex, reduced relationship satisfaction, and riskier sexual behavior among teens, porn is impacting individuals, relationships, and society worldwideFight the New Drug. (2024, May). Get the Facts (Series of web articles). Fight the New Drug.Copy .
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