The complexities of young New Zealanders’ use and perceptions of pornography: a quantitative survey in context

This article discusses a nationally representative survey on the size and scope of porn use amongst young New Zealanders (aged 14–17 years) in the context of the body of quantitative research internationally. A total of 2071 respondents participated in a survey conducted by the Office of Film and Literature Classification in 2018, giving insight into usage, perceptions, and feelings regarding porn. In this article, we present an overview of the survey’s design and findings, comparing and contextualizing them with other surveys internationally, and reflect on the affordances and limitations of quantitative studies on young people’s experiences and perceptions of pornography. While this quantitative study has offered a clear and current picture of youth porn use and perceptions in New Zealand, it has also raised further questions to be explored through qualitative research methods for a more complete picture – one that can inform future policy and initiatives (including resources, education, and potential regulatory change).