ABSTRACT
We know that adolescence is a time of significant personal development. Young people are maturing in many ways during this period: cognitively, emotionally, physically, and sexually. This period of life is important for the development of self-image and self-esteem. This chapter explores the relationships between adolescent consumption of Internet pornography and the development of self-image. Research suggests that when people are satisfied with their sexual body parts, they tend to exhibit greater sexual confidence. However, what is presented in most pornography are not realistic depictions of the human body. Actors and actresses in pornographic videos and images tend to be anything but average in their appearance. This chapter explores how that dissonance can impact the development of the adolescent sexual self and, in turn, how this may affect overall self-esteem.
