Social Support as a Protective Factor Against Online Pornography and Sexual Aggressive Behavior among High School Students in Los Baños, Laguna

Abstract

With the advent of new technologies such as the internet, adolescent access to pornography has substantially expanded. Research show that the prevalence of online pornography viewing among adolescents has increased significantly, partly attributed to the availability of such online materials. Their exposure to internet pornography has been linked to stronger beliefs in gender stereotypes, particularly in relation to sex and attitudes and behaviors supportive of sexual violence—perpetrated particularly against women and children. While the adolescents’ internet pornography use and its negative effects on healthy sexual development have been extensively investigated, the protective factors that can prevent or mitigate these adverse effects have not been explored much. Based on the conceptualization of a stress-buffering model of social support, this study will determine whether social support would provide a buffer against the negative effects of internet pornography on sexually aggressive behaviours of High School students in Los Baños, Laguna. The respondents will be asked to accomplish an online adopted survey which includes questions on their internet pornography use, sexually aggressive behaviours, and perception of social support from parents, school teachers, and friends. Data will be analyzed using a combination of descriptive and inferential statistics. Results of this study will provide insights for the development of interventions aimed at preventing adolescents’ use of internet pornography and practice of sexual aggressive behaviors to promote healthy sexual development.