Hey there – thanks for checking this out…
Porn’s everywhere – and there’s crazy new tags, categories, genres and themes popping up weekly 😲 It’s often harder to avoid the intense stuff than it is to find it – so if you’ve seen stuff you’re uncomfortable with – that’s okay, it’s 100% normal 👍🏽. Talking about it can feel awkward at first, so here’s some tips and tricks to help you get started. Kia kaha!




TIPS & TOOLS
Feeling uncomfortable with something you’ve seen in porn is super normal. Here’s ten top tips to help out.
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INFO
Porn that makes us feel ‘uncomfortable’
There’s lots of weird and rougher porn themes out now like “real bro and sis”, “young teen” or “forced’. Porn producers talk about needing to create more shady or extreme stuff to keep scenes interesting and people watching 🤔.
A recent NZ study: Breaking Down Porn showed that of the porn that Kiwis watch, 35% included some kind of pressure or something non-consensual – like convincing someone to have sex who didn’t want to at first – and 46% had step or family (real sis, real bro) porn.
So, if you’ve across some stuff you’re uncomfortable with – that’s not unusual!
“It makes me a bit sad cos I wish I hadn’t had to see that at that age. I would have
understood it better and had a different reaction if I was older.”FEMALE, 15, OFLC research
Porn and the body
Watching some stuff in porn, particularly the more extreme themes can be confusing. Most people’s bodies naturally respond by feeling turned on when they see sexual stuff or naked people.
So even if we are wigged out by more extreme porn, our body can still be responding positively – this is super normal, and nothing to feel bad about it.
For others, watching some porn can be disturbing and it can be difficult to forget certain images. If that’s you check out our tips here or our Text/Talk section.
“It makes me a bit sad cos I wish I hadn’t had to see that at that age. I would have
understood it better and had a different reaction if I was older.”FEMALE, 15, OFLC research



Porn and the brain
Research shows when we see naked people, our brains are in hyper-drive and they actually move faster than seeing clothed people.
Our brains can anticipate a ‘high’ – and we don’t often control that initial feeling!(3) So, even when we feel uncomfortable with things we see in porn, our brain can be giving our body a different (positive) message.
Trafficking
In some countries porn could be made by forcing people into it, particularly illegal and underage porn. If you’ve seen something that looked forced or the person seemed too young to be in porn – remember it’s not your fault that this stuff is online. It might help to talk to someone and you can report it by clicking here.

Porn and trauma
Watching certain porn can sometimes cause trauma. If someone’s felt really uncomfortable about what they’ve seen, they can get flashbacks or feel anxious afterwards. If they’ve had unwanted sexual touch or been abused before, they can feel triggered.
If that’s you, or someone you know, it’s important to get help or talk to the Pros on 4334 Safe to Talk.

Check out these great short clips on how we can build mental resiliency and deal with tricky thoughts!
HELP
1737
If you’re feeling anxious, down or overwhelmed, 1737 offers a free confidential call or text line with trained counsellors 24/7.
Text: 1737
www.1737.org.nz
Safe to Talk
If you’ve been affected by sexual harm or are worried about your own behaviour, Safe to Talk provide great 24/7 confidential non-judgmental support and advice with trained counsellors.
Anonymous online chat 24/7.
Freephone: 0800 044 334
Text: 4334
Website/online chat: www.safetotalk.nz
Email: [email protected]
What’s up?
Whatsup helps young people with heaps of issues like dating, sex, porn, bullying or anxiety. Confidential online chat: 3 -10pm. Freephone counsellors 12-11pm weekdays and 3-11pm on weekends.
Freephone: 0800WHATSUP
www.whatsup.co.nz
The Lowdown
An awesome website and 24/7 help service for youth who feel stuck. Whether it’s mental health issues, relationships, or school issues, the lowdown offers ideas, info and help.
Freephone: 0800 111 757
thelowdown.co.nz Text: 5626 for confidential chat. Anonymous online chat 24/7.
YOUTHLINE
24/7 free service designed just for youth. You can call or text to talk about big or small stuff.
Anonymous online chat 7-10pm.
Freephone: 0800 376 633
Text: 234
www.youthline.co.nz
NETSAFE
Netsafe is a free confidential 24/7 online safety helpline that offers support, legal info and advice on online issues.
Freephone:
0508 NETSAFE
Text: 4284
8am-8pm weekdays
9am-5pm weekends.
Online report: Reporting Harmful Content
Website: netsafe.org.nz