The Effect of Pornography on Crime in India: What the Data & Experts Say

A Growing Concern in Indian Society


With rising internet penetration, even in remote areas, India has become one of the largest consumers of online pornography. According to recent analytics, India consistently ranks in the top three countries globally in porn consumption.

But as access to adult content has grown, so have concerns:
Does pornography fuel crimes like rape, child abuse, and sexual harassment in India?

This blog explores the relationship between pornography and crime in India, busting myths and presenting facts based on national reports, expert analysis, and legal frameworks.

Pornography Consumption in India: The Current Scenario

  • Mobile-first consumption: 97% of Indian porn viewers use smartphones.

  • Rising access among minors: A 2020 survey by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) found that many children below 18 access porn regularly.

  • Lack of sex education: India still does not have a comprehensive, mandatory sex education system across schools, which increases misinformation and unsafe behavior.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1097691/india-number-of-child-pornography-offences-by-leading-state/

Is There a Link Between Pornography and Crime in India?

https://www.cps.gov.uk/publication/cps-data-summary-quarter-2-2023-2024

1. No Direct Cause, But Some Patterns Exist

Most Indian legal and psychological experts agree there's no definitive proof that watching porn directly causes crime. However, under specific circumstances, problematic consumption of pornography may correlate with:

  • Increased sexual aggression

  • Objectification of women

  • Early exposure altering adolescent behavior

Study Highlight: A study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry (2019) noted that compulsive pornography use in adolescents is linked to risky sexual behavior, not necessarily criminality.

2. Impact on Sexual Violence: The Controversy

Some politicians and activists claim that pornography causes rape. However, data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) does not show a direct correlation.

In fact, between 2010 and 2020, while access to pornography increased massively, rape conviction rates remained low not due to increase in crime, but due to poor investigation, slow courts, and survivor stigma.

That said, violent pornography (e.g. rape porn, revenge porn) can:

  • Desensitize users to consent

  • Encourage aggressive or illegal sexual fantasies

  • Be used as a tool in actual crimes (e.g., child sexual abuse material, blackmail)

3. The Issue of Child Pornography in India

India’s biggest legal concern isn’t consensual adult porn — it’s the increase in Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). According to INTERPOL and the Ministry of Home Affairs, India has a rising number of CSAM reports, often shared via messaging apps or cloud storage.

The IT Act (Section 67B) and the POCSO Act treat possession and circulation of child pornography as a criminal offense, even for private viewing.

Risk Factors Unique to the Indian Context

FactorRole in Impact
Low sex literacyMany youths explore porn as a substitute for sex education.
Stigma around sexHiding natural curiosity leads to secretive, binge porn use.
Patriarchal mindsetMay interpret porn’s objectification of women as real-world norm.
Digital illiteracyMany are unaware of the legal risks of consuming illegal content.

Indian Laws Related to Pornography and Crime

India does not criminalize private viewing of pornographic content by adults, but:

  • Section 67 of the IT Act: Publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form is punishable.

  • Section 67A & 67B: Specifically deal with sexually explicit content and child porn, with imprisonment up to 7 years.

  • POCSO Act: Strict penalties for any content involving minors.

  • BNSS Section 153-155: Penalizes obscene acts and materials, especially in public.

Recent Initiatives:

  • The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is actively working to block pornographic websites, especially those hosting CSAM.

  • Government has mandated ISPs to block over 3,000 porn websites on court orders.

Common Myths Busted

https://www.dreamstime.com/illustration/explicit-content.html


Myth: Watching porn always leads to sexual crime.

Fact: Only excessive or violent porn, when combined with other risk factors, may influence behavior. Most users do not commit crimes.

Myth: Porn is banned in India.

Fact: Production and distribution are restricted, but private viewing by adults is not illegal.

Myth: All porn is child porn.

Fact: CSAM is illegal and morally reprehensible. Most online porn, while not illegal, may still be ethically questionable depending on the content.

 What Can Be Done? A Balanced Way Forward

 Policy & Law:

  • Strengthen monitoring of CSAM and revenge porn

  • Support mental health resources for compulsive porn use

  • Train police & judiciary to handle tech-based sexual crimes sensitively

 Education:

  • Introduce scientifically designed sex education at school level

  • Encourage media literacy and digital safety campaigns

 Mental Health:

  • Provide counseling for people dealing with porn addiction or unhealthy sexual behaviors

  • Destigmatize mental health support for sexual concerns

Conclusion: It's Complicated

Pornography’s effect on crime in India is not straightforward. While it may contribute to risky behaviors, especially when violent or addictive, it is not a root cause of sexual crime.

What India truly needs is:

  • Better sex education

  • Stricter enforcement of child protection laws

  • Open conversations about digital ethics and sexual wellness



References & Reports

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