Decades of studies from respected institutions have demonstrated significant impacts of porn consumption on individuals, relationships, and society. No Porn November is all about giving visibility to these facts and empowering individuals to choose to be porn-free. Learn more by clicking here.
Bored and thinking about watching porn? Wondering what you can do instead of watching porn? Taking the No Porn November challenge and having a tough time?
According to a team of researchers led by Beáta Bőthe, only 5.94% of porn consumers in their study said that they watched porn because of a “lack of sexual satisfaction.”Bőthe, B., Tóth-Király, I., Bella, N., Potenza, M. N., Demetrovics, Z., & Orosz, G. (2021). Why do people watch pornography? The motivational basis of pornography use. Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, 35(2), 172–186. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000603Copy
Bőthe’s team found that “boredom avoidance” is a common reason for watching porn. In fact, people hate being bored so much that a team of psychologists found that two-thirds of men and a quarter of women would rather give themselves electric shocks than sit alone with their thoughts for 15 minutes.
Our digital world has done a pretty good job at providing endless amounts of entertainment and distractions for those who can’t stand a moment of idleness. Of course, porn is included in this bundle, and many people describe their porn habits as a way to unwind after a day of work or study.
But consider this definition of boredom: “the aversive experience of wanting, but being unable, to engage in satisfying activity.”
Porn cannot help with boredom because it leaves a person unsatisfied and disengaged. Sure, at first it is new and exciting, but as the brain is regularly stimulated by porn, it can become bored of seeing the same content. A person can slowly start to crave more.
So what can you do to chase the boredom away? We have a few suggestions.
1. Watch our documentary series, Brain, Heart, World
This three-part film series educates viewers on how porn affects individuals through a combination of engaging humor, relatable personal stories and the clear presentation of facts.
- “The Brain” dives into the scientific research that illustrates the physiological and neurological harms pornography has on individuals.
- “The Heart” explores pornography’s impacts on romantic relationships, and on platonic relationships such as those with friends, family, and everyday interpersonal connections.
- “The World” highlights porn’s impact on society in a variety of ways, including porn’s inextricable connection to the global issue of sex trafficking.
2. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube
As an online grassroots movement for love, we use social media to connect with people across the world by posting engaging content to every social media platform we can. We share valuable information daily on each site.
See for yourself! Anyone can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube.
3. Watch our short videos with ex-performers, experts, and people who have quit watching porn.
Check out our educational videos as well as videos of experts in various fields related to the subject of porn’s harms. Also, watch personal stories of those whose lives have been impacted by porn.
Anyone can view these short videos by visiting our short video page on our site or our YouTube channel.
4. Look through our research database, Truth About Porn, where we catalog quality research about porn’s harms
Sort through countless research studies from major institutions that detail the harmful effects of porn.
Think of it like an aggregated research site, complete with video interviews of experts from around the world in diverse academic fields. The next time you want to see the raw text from studies, free from commentary, check out TruthAboutPorn.org.
5. Listen to our podcast, Consider Before Consuming
In each episode of Consider Before Consuming, we discuss the science and research behind the negative effects of pornography so we can better understand the issue and help connect people with the facts they need to make an informed decision on porn.
In every episode, we sit down with an expert, public figure, survivor, or fellow Fighter to hear their thoughts or personal experiences surrounding this topic in each unique episode. You might laugh, you might cry, but you’ll definitely think about how porn influences the world around you.
Subscribe to Consider Before Consuming wherever you listen to podcasts.
6. Read through our 15 research-packed Get The Facts articles
As a research-based movement, quality sources and credible information are invaluable.
We have produced 15 quality research-based articles as a core resource of ours that explain how porn has been shown to negatively impact consumers, relationships, and society.
7. Read through any of the 1,000 articles on our blog
Our blog has over 1,000 articles, all centering around how porn is connected to sex trafficking, relationship dissatisfaction, and harms to consumers of porn.
8. Sign up with our affiliates at Fortify if you want to join a supportive community and quit watching porn
Want to find lasting freedom from porn? Join our affiliates at Fortify. Fortify is designed to equip individuals struggling with compulsive pornography use—young and old—with tools, education and community to assist them in reaching lasting freedom.
Their mission is to help spark an uprising of people tired of porn messing with their lives—and ready for something far better. There are free and subscription-based version of the platform, sign up today.
9. Check out our online gear shop if you want some inspirational tees
Fight the New Drug is a nonprofit, which means everything we do is made possible by our supporters and donors. One way we’re able to raise awareness about the harmful effects of porn on a grassroots level is by engaging people in meaningful conversations about it.
This is why we design eye-catching, conversation-starting trendy tees—our online store fuels this movement, and our gear fuels your conversations. We call that a win win.
10. If you feel your porn habit is out of control, use our Let’s Talk About Porn guide to talk to someone about it
Our most comprehensive online conversation guide yet, Let’s Talk About Porn. Every day, we’re messaged and emailed by countless individuals from all around the world, asking how they can start conversations about porn with loved ones or strangers. No matter who you might want to talk to for what reason concerning porn, we’ve got your back.
We’ve got interactive conversation guides for parents, partners, friends, kids, and strangers. Explore the site by clicking here.
Other stuff you can do
You can also click through our Fast Facts database where we have over 100 stats and quick information blurbs about porn’s harms. If you want to officially join this movement and become a Fighter, read through our Fighter attributes and sign up.
Regardless of how your #NoPornovember challenge is going, or why you’re feeling like watching porn right now, there are at least a dozen other things you can do besides log on to your favorite porn site. Just pick something from the list above, or check out this other list we’ve compiled of things you can do besides watch porn.
Need help?
For those reading this who feel they are struggling with pornography, you are not alone. Check out Fortify, a science-based recovery platform dedicated to helping you find lasting freedom from pornography. Fortify now offers a free experience for both teens and adults. Connect with others, learn about your unwanted porn habit, and track your recovery journey. There is hope—sign up today.
Fight the New Drug may receive financial support from purchases made using affiliate links.
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