Direct and mediating effects of accessing sexually explicit online materials on Hong Kong adolescents' attitude, knowledge, and behavior relating to sex

This study investigated the impact of accessing sexually explicit online materials (SEOM) on Hong Kong adolescents' attitude, knowledge, and behavior relating to sex. Challenging the assumption of a direct relationship between the frequency of accessing SEOM and its influence on adolescent sexuality, the basic premise of the study is that exposure to SEOM elicits adolescents' intrapersonal reactions with mediating effects on their sexual development. To test this, the study employed a survey design with data based on a sample of 503 adolescents in Hong Kong. Analyses of covariance and mediation were conducted to test the hypotheses derived from the conceptual framework. The results indicated that adolescents' frequency of accessing and reactions to SEOM were positively linked to their acceptance of stereotyped gender roles and power imbalance in sexual relationships, permissiveness of premarital sex, sexual compulsion, and sexual daydreaming. Furthermore, the results supported the premise of the study that adolescents' reactions to SEOM mediate and amplify the effects of the frequency of accessing SEOM. The study provides a frame of reference for youth workers generating an in-depth analysis of adolescents' experience of SEOM exposure, thus broadening the conceptualization of the needs and problems faced by adolescents while expanding potential areas of intervention, prevention, and education.

► Adolescents' access of sexually explicit online materials (SEOM) was studied.
► Differences were found between adolescents exposed to SEOM and those who were not.
► Frequency of and reactions to SEOM affect adolescents' sexual development.
► Reactions to SEOM mediate the effects of the frequency of accessing SEOM.
► Adolescents should be involved in sex education and treatment of over-exposure.