Watching porn safely: protect yourself online

Watching pornography safely online

The internet has made it incredibly easy to access pornography and other adult content online. This has resulted in an increase in porn scams across the internet.

Discussions about the specifics of one's online activities, like viewing pornography, can be uncomfortable and many people prefer to keep these details private.

You can contact Netsafe seven days a week for free, confidential and non-judgmental advice about an online issue impacting you or someone you know.

Report online (https://report.netsafe.org.nz/hc/en-au/requests/new)Email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])Text 'Netsafe' to 4282 (sms:4282?body=Netsafe)Live chat support Call 0508 638 723 8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends (tel:0508638723)New Zealanders overseas can call +64 9 666 0840 (tel:+6496660840)

If you'd like to talk to someone specifically about pornography or sexually harmful thoughts or behaviour you can contact:

The Light Project (https://thelightproject.co.nz/need-help/i-need-help/)

Safe To Talk(https://www.safetotalk.nz/)

Staying safe online

Not all pornographic material available online is safe or legal.

Legal vs. illegal sexual content: What's the difference?

• Legal pornography: In New Zealand, pornography is legal, but you must be at least 18 years old to access it.
• Illegal pornography: Any material involving children, animals, deceased individuals, cruelty, severe violence or abuse is considered "objectionable" and is illegal to possess or view.

Certain extreme types of sexual content are classified as 'objectionable material' under New Zealand law, making it illegal to possess or view such content.

Exploitation considerations: There is a significant concern about exploitation in pornography. It can be challenging to verify if all individuals in pornographic content consented to its release or were compensated fairly, given how easily content can be reposted online.

Reporting illegal sexual content

To report illegal sexual content or objectionable material:

• Complete the complaint form(https://www.dia.govt.nz/web/submitforms.nsf/cencomp) available on the Department of Internal Affairs website.
• Read more about the Films, Videos, and Publications Classifications Act 1993 and its amendment in 2005 on the Department of Internal Affairs(http://www.dia.govt.nz/Censorship-Legislation) website.

Watching porn safely

Although reputable pornographic websites strive to protect their reputation, your device could still be at risk from malware, especially when searching for adult content.

Pornography safety measures include:

• Use trusted websites: Avoid dubious websites from search results that offer free premium content.
• Official apps only: Download apps only from official sources.
• Avoid ad links: Do not click on ad links, no matter how tempting.
• Robust protection: Use strong protective software to block potential malware.

Avoid risky behaviour

It’s crucial to remain cautious and composed when consuming pornography. As users may exercise poor judgment under excitement, it's essential to heed warnings from your computer or browser about potential risks.

You can contact Netsafe seven days a week for free, confidential and non-judgmental advice about an online issue impacting you or someone you know.

Report online (https://report.netsafe.org.nz/hc/en-au/requests/new)Email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])Text 'Netsafe' to 4282 (sms:4282?body=Netsafe)Live chat support Call 0508 638 723 8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends (tel:0508638723)New Zealanders overseas can call +64 9 666 0840 (tel:+6496660840)