Children Accessing Harmful Pornography on Social Media, Officials Warn Northern Ireland, PNG

Concerns about the accessibility and impact of pornography, particularly on youth and women, are growing globally. In Northern Ireland, children as young as nine are reportedly accessing pornography via social media platforms, with disturbing trends such as the normalization of choking during sex among teenagers; experts highlight that misogyny and online violence against women are amplified and monetized through technology. Similarly, Papua New Guinea faces a rising threat from deepfake pornography, where AI-generated fake videos harm women's reputations and dignity, exacerbated by widespread digital connectivity and low public awareness. In the United States and the European Union, efforts to enforce age verification on pornographic websites face significant challenges due to fragmented laws, privacy concerns, and resistance from major platforms, resulting in ineffective protection for minors. Additionally, in Jamaica, a sex therapist links increased pornography consumption to sexual dysfunction and relationship difficulties, urging religious institutions to address the issue proactively. These varied perspectives underscore the complex, multifaceted problem of online pornography's effects on society and the difficulties in regulating and mitigating its harms.