A new paper recommends that porn researchers ask subjects to eliminate chronic internet pornography use for some period of time and monitor its effects. Today’s streaming pornography videos have unique properties such as: inexhaustible sexual novelty at a swipe; effortless escalation to more extreme material; and are easily accessed by young viewers. These unique properties appear to be giving rise to severe symptoms in some consumers.
The usual correlation studies cannot establish which related factor causes another. Yet establishing causation is critically important lest reversible symptoms caused by digital porn overuse be confused with symptoms common to inherent psychological traits and indications of mental disorders, which require different treatment. These include hypersexuality.
New experimental design
In order to create powerful studies capable of demonstrating causality, the experimental designs will need to be based on current best practice in social science research. Emphasis should be placed on studying young males, isolating separate cohorts of users under 18 and ideally also those under 16. Subjects should also be assessed for evidence of escalation to novel genres of porn. Preferably, data testing could measure what happens in porn consumers at several intervals after quitting. Industry-standard tools can measure changes in depression, anxiety, life satisfaction, sexual health, relationship contentment, and so forth before, during and at the end of the study. Studies also need to investigate a range of cultures. This is necessary to demonstrate the degree of universality of porn-related issues, as well as the power of removing its use.
In the meantime, users who suspect porn may be affecting them adversely can make their own experiments simply by giving it up and gauging any changes for themselves. A good 12 days to 3 weeks is recommended as starters. However, much longer time frames will be needed for sexual dysfunctions, altered sexual tastes, and symptoms of chronic mood disorders
Reference: Eliminate Chronic Internet Pornography Use to Reveal Its Effects
