'We can't pretend it doesn't happen': Why pornography is part of modern life

Ease of access to porn online has led to an explosion in its use. But what happens when viewing it takes priority over sexual intimacy with your partner?

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Of the many societal changes wrought by technology, the proliferation and easy availability of porn on the internet has been one of the most seismic. In the last two decades or so, pornography has moved from the top shelf of newsagents and under the counter at (now defunct) video stores to being accessible in a few clicks on the laptops in our living rooms and the smartphones in our pockets. 

According to Pornhub’s own statistics, the website is visited by more than 120m people daily, with a spike in activity during the pandemic. While there is much concern about the content of pornography and how its proliferation is affecting sexual behaviour, there is no doubt that viewing it has become a lot less taboo. So what effect is the proliferation of porn having on our relationships and if your partner is watching porn, when do you need to worry?