A monthly column aiming to open eyes and free lives from the damaging effects of porn, brought to you by the team from The Naked Truth. The UK charity, now in South Africa, works internationally to change lives and minds through awareness, education and recovery, guided by the mission of Isaiah 40. That we would “level mountains and lift valley’s to reveal Jesus.”
By Sam McQuaker, Anna Forthergill and Sheralyn Cloete
Today, we’re addressing a difficult yet urgent topic: porn.
It’s not an easy conversation, but the truth is that this issue is more serious and widespread than many realise. We must shine light on the impact porn is having on individuals, families, and society, so that freedom and recovery can come.
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The rise of smartphones in 2007 and the subsequent boom in internet access have brought countless benefits. But along with the benefits came a darker side: porn became more accessible, anonymous, and affordable than ever before. It’s no longer something hidden away in magazines, tucked under the bed. Now, it’s right at our fingertips, in our pockets, just a click away.
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In South Africa, we rank among the highest in the world for daily internet usage¹. Alarmingly, South Africans are 114% more likely to search for hardcore porn than other nations². Shockingly, 87% of South African teens aged 12 to 18 have already encountered pornography³. And by our own analysis, as a nation, we consistently rank in the top 10 for Google searches related to “porn”⁴. We can no longer pretend that porn is someone else’s issue.
Christians and porn: a hidden struggle
The painful reality is that Christians, like the wider population, are caught in the struggle with porn. Over half of practicing Christians report engaging with pornography⁵. This issue isn’t limited to men — 40% of Christian women are also impacted⁶.
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Porn rewires our brains, leading to dependency, low moods, and a diminished desire for other activities. Studies show strong links between problematic porn use and a deep sense of meaninglessness, depression, and mental health issues. Beyond the psychological toll, porn causes doubts about faith and fosters shame, damaging relationships with God. Many Christians who struggle with porn feel isolated, weighed down by guilt, and unable to reconcile their faith with their behaviour.
Devastating Impacts
Porn isn’t just a personal issue. It’s a societal one. Its effects are deep and far-reaching. Porn can rob us of relationships and health. Studies reveal that 79% of women whose partners view porn meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD⁷. Many experience betrayal, isolation, and even abuse—verbal, physical, or sexual. For men, porn contributes to erectile dysfunction and reinforces objectification, while both genders face unrealistic body image expectations and distorted ideas of intimacy.
In South Africa, where gender-based violence is alarmingly high, porn’s link to violence cannot be ignored. Research shows that 88% of top pornographic films include violence, usually targeting women⁸. Exposure to such content desensitises viewers, distorting their perceptions of relationships, consent, and respect. During this 16 Days of Activism, it’s crucial to reflect on how porn consumption perpetuates harmful cycles.
The human cost behind the porn industry is undeniable. The demand for porn fuels the global issue of sex trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Performers, who are made in the image of God, are used and abused to feed this industry.
A message of hope
Faced with the harm caused by porn, it’s easy to despair. Yet, just as Ezekiel 37 speaks of the valley of dry bones, we know God can breathe life into the darkest, most broken areas. The destruction caused by porn is not beyond His power to heal.
At Naked Truth, we want to equip the church to be part of the healing process. God offers restoration for those caught in the cycle of porn and for those hurt by its effects.
Hope and healing for users and families
There is hope for those using porn. Through online support groups and recovery programmes, we’ve seen many individuals break free – not just from porn, but toward healing in their relationships, mental health, and faith. This isn’t just about quitting an addiction; it’s about restoring lives. About seeing bones come to life again.
The impact of porn extends beyond users, deeply affecting families, especially spouses dealing with betrayal trauma. These spouses often feel isolated and overwhelmed, but there is hope for healing. If you are a spouse feeling lost in this struggle, remember: Our God is, the God who sees, He is with you and cares for you. He offers healing and there are services to support you.
Prevention
What if we could help prevent porn use before it starts? As Desmond Tutu wisely said: “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” Future columns will explore how we can protect children from pornography and its dangers.
Will you join the conversation?
We know this topic stirs strong emotions. If you need support, please reach out. Keep coming back each month as we explore this issue together in future columns. We’ll examine the impact of porn and how we can respond with the hope and healing that only God provides.
Together, we can confront this issue and walk in the freedom that only He offers.
If you want to find out more about Naked Truth’s support programmes visit nakedtruthproject.com
The authors
The authors are part of The Naked Truth Team, an organisation working to Open Eyes and Free Lives from the damaging impact of Porn. They offer prevention, education and recovery programmes, as well as a free Church Membership programme to help church leaders get equipped when tackling issues surrounding pornography.
Endnotes
- https://www.meltwater.com/en/blog/social-media-statistics-south-africa
- Pornhub Insights. 2019 year in review
- Bureau of Market Research Youth Research Unit Youth Research Webinar | 2 June 2023 | The State of Youth Well-being in South Africa
- Google Trends Analysis by Naked Truth Staff.
- Barna: Beyond the Porn Phenomenon 2024
- Barna: Beyond the Porn Phenomenon 2024
- Barna: Beyond the Porn Phenomenon 2024
- Hilton, D.L. (2021). Pornography and the Developing Brain: Protecting the Children. In: Caffo, E. (eds) Online Child Sexual Exploitation.
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