Prevalence and Factors Associated with Intentional Pornography Access among Spanish Adolescents

Abstract Introduction Adolescent pornography consumption has become increasingly prevalent, yet empirical evidence based on representative samples remains limited in some cultural contexts, including Spain. Objective To determine the prevalence and characteristics of intentional pornography access among Spanish adolescents, and to examine its relationship with demographic variables (gender, age), personal factors (impulsivity, moral emotions, sexual orientation), behavioral aspects (alcohol consumption, running away from home), and cultural factors (country of origin). Method A representative sample of 4,024 adolescents aged 14–17 years (M = 15.4; 52.6% girls) from across Spain participated in the study. Participants self-reported their intentional pornography consumption during the past year, along with measures of personal, behavioral, and cultural variables. Results Overall, 51.6% of adolescents reported intentionally accessing pornography in the past year, with 10.6% reporting daily consumption. Significant gender and age differences were observed, with higher prevalence among boys and older adolescents. Adolescents who accessed pornography exhibited lower levels of moral emotions and higher engagement in risk behaviors, including alcohol consumption and running away from home. Conclusions Intentional pornography access is widespread among Spanish adolescents and is associated with lower moral emotions and greater involvement in risk behaviors. These findings highlight the importance of adopting a public health perspective and underscore the need for comprehensive affective-sexual education targeting Spanish youth.