A recent study has highlighted significant negative mental health impacts among young adults who consume pornography daily. Conducted by the Institute for Family Studies and YouGov, the survey of 2,000 adults under 40 found that about 10% watch pornography online at least once a day. The study revealed that men are about twice as likely as women to be daily consumers, and liberal young adults are roughly twice as likely as conservatives to report watching pornography daily.

Even after controlling for variables like sex, marital status, and income, daily porn consumption was shown to double the risk of depression and increase loneliness by a similar margin. These findings support previous research linking heavy pornography use to poor mental health, suggesting that frequent consumption may displace healthy social activities, leading to greater isolation and unhappiness.

Father Sean Kilcawley, director of the Freedom From Pornography ministry in the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, has seen these effects firsthand. He noted that regular pornography use and frequent masturbation often lead to depression, with neuroscience research supporting this observation. Kilcawley explained that people struggling with loneliness might turn to pornography for comfort, yet the consumption of porn can further fuel their sense of isolation.

He likened the cycle of porn addiction to drinking salt water to quench thirst: instead of satisfying a need, it worsens the problem. Kilcawley emphasized the importance of acknowledging the problem and seeking help, a step many people avoid due to denial or lack of awareness. He encouraged those struggling with pornography addiction to consider faith-based recovery, recognizing that spiritual fulfillment through Christ can replace the false satisfaction offered by pornography.

The priest recommended addiction recovery programs, individual counseling, and group therapy as effective tools to combat both loneliness and dependency. He stressed the need for early intervention, citing the Alcoholics Anonymous principle of "raising the bottom," which encourages people to seek help before their addiction severely impacts their lives, marriages, or families. Kilcawley believes the same approach can be applied to pornography addiction, helping individuals break free before reaching a crisis point.