Review on problematic online pornography use in mainland China

Abstract

The lifetime prevalence of online pornography use has risen significantly with the widespread adoption of the internet in China, despite the sexual conservativeness inherent in Chinese culture. Numerous negative effects associated with online pornography have been documented, and its problematic use poses a potential public health threat. This paper provides a review of existing research on problematic online pornography use (POPU) in mainland China. The review encompasses the cultural and technological influences on online pornography use, the prevalence of both online pornography and POPU, and the policies and interventions currently addressing POPU in mainland China. Additionally, the paper discusses potential future directions for effectively tackling POPU in the Chinese context.