How to Evaluate Online Information Before You Trust It

The internet makes it possible to find answers within seconds, but speed does not guarantee accuracy. Search results, social media posts, newsletters, and online videos can all present information with confidence, even when the evidence behind it is weak. Reliable digital reading therefore requires more than locating a source. It requires examining who produced the material, how claims are supported, and whether the information remains current.

Start with the source

The identity and purpose of a publisher provide important context. A government agency, university, professional association, news organization, or individual commentator may approach the same subject from very different perspectives. None of these categories guarantees accuracy, but knowing the source helps readers judge its likely expertise and incentives.

Look for an author’s name, qualifications, editorial responsibility, and contact information. A transparent publication usually explains who created the material and why it was produced. Anonymous content is not automatically false, yet the absence of accountability should make readers more cautious, particularly when the claim could influence health, finances, safety, or public decisions.

Examine the evidence

Strong claims generally need strong support. Reliable articles distinguish between observed facts, informed interpretation, and opinion. They may cite research, identify relevant data, link to primary documents, or describe how conclusions were reached. Readers should be wary of dramatic statements supported only by anecdotes, unnamed experts, or broad references to “studies” without enough detail to identify them.

It is also useful to inspect the original evidence rather than relying solely on a summary. A headline may simplify a study, while a social media post may remove important qualifications. When a source cites research, check whether the study actually addresses the claim being made. Pay attention to sample size, research methods, limitations, and whether other credible investigations have reached similar findings.

Check dates and context

Information can be accurate when published and misleading later. Laws change, scientific knowledge develops, products are updated, and statistics lose relevance as conditions shift. An article without a publication date or revision history is harder to assess. Readers should also check whether an old image, quotation, or report is being presented as current.

Context matters beyond the date. A statistic may describe one location, age group, or period but be presented as a universal pattern. A quotation may omit the sentence that changes its meaning. Reading beyond the headline and comparing the claim with the source material can reveal these distortions.

Assess links and presentation

Web design can create an impression of authority without demonstrating reliability. Professional layouts, polished graphics, and familiar terminology are not substitutes for evidence. Link labels should communicate where they lead, while surrounding text should explain why the destination is relevant. A neutral label like test may still deserve scrutiny if the page provides no information about its ownership, purpose, or supporting material.

Readers should also watch for signs of manipulation: urgent language, unsupported certainty, excessive capitalization, fabricated quotations, and claims that critics are hiding the truth. These techniques are often designed to encourage immediate sharing rather than careful evaluation. Suspicious pages may imitate the appearance of established organizations or use addresses that differ subtly from legitimate domains.

Compare before deciding

One source rarely provides enough information for an important decision. Compare the claim with independent reporting, primary records, and commentary from qualified specialists. Agreement across sources is meaningful only when those sources are genuinely independent; many websites repeat the same material without checking it.

When evidence is incomplete, the most responsible conclusion may be uncertainty. A careful reader can say that a claim is supported, disputed, unverified, or still developing. This approach is more dependable than treating every issue as a choice between absolute truth and deliberate deception. Digital literacy is not about distrusting everything online. It is about matching confidence to the quality of the evidence.

A Softer Landing: How Small Interface Choices Shape an Online Casino Evening

Online casino entertainment is often described through its games, bonuses, or big visual moments. Yet the first impression can come from something quieter: a page that loads without fuss, a menu that makes sense, or a screen that feels comfortable to look at after a long day. Those details do not promise a better outcome. They shape the experience around the entertainment, making it feel either inviting or needlessly busy.

For adults browsing digital casino spaces, atmosphere is part of the appeal. A polished interface can lend an evening a sense of occasion, while clear labels and steady pacing help the experience remain easy to follow. A site such as treasurediveslots.com can be considered in that broader context: not just as a collection of games, but as a digital environment whose presentation influences how it feels to spend time there.

The welcome is made of small things

Before any game catches the eye, a visitor encounters the surrounding design. Color, spacing, typography, and the arrangement of menus all contribute to a first impression. When these choices work together, the page feels composed rather than crowded. The effect is subtle, but it can make browsing feel more like settling into a lounge than sorting through a stack of competing signs.

Useful design is rarely showy. A readable menu, familiar symbols, and consistent placement can make a site feel legible without demanding attention. On a phone, that clarity matters even more: cramped buttons or layers of overlapping panels can turn a relaxed moment into a small exercise in patience. A responsive layout, by contrast, lets the content adapt to the screen without making the whole experience feel squeezed.

There is a trade-off, though. Strong visual styling can give a casino its own character, but animation, sound, and bright accents may become tiring when every element asks to be noticed. The most comfortable spaces tend to leave room for the eye to rest. Atmosphere is not simply a matter of adding effects; sometimes it comes from knowing what to leave quiet.

A pace that leaves room to breathe

Digital entertainment is available on demand, but that does not mean every moment needs to be fast. A calm transition between sections, a clear loading state, or a sensible amount of information on screen can create a more measured rhythm. These choices help the experience feel less like a stream of interruptions and more like an evening with its own natural pace.

That pace is personal. Some adults enjoy a lively, colorful setting, while others prefer understated screens and minimal sound. Flexible display controls can make a difference because they allow the surrounding environment to feel less intrusive. Even without customization, a well-considered interface can balance energy with calm, offering visual interest without turning every click or transition into a spectacle.

There is a downside to restraint, too. An interface that is too plain may feel generic, and a slow or overly elaborate presentation can interrupt the flow rather than improve it. The best balance is not universal. It depends on whether the design supports the mood a visitor wants, instead of imposing a mood through constant movement or clutter.

Clarity is a form of comfort

Clear information does more than make a site easier to navigate. It helps visitors understand what they are looking at and where different parts of the experience belong. Consistent headings, straightforward descriptions, and an orderly layout reduce the sense of guesswork. That can make a digital space feel more considerate, particularly when someone is browsing casually rather than arriving with a specific destination in mind.

Comfort often comes from a handful of practical qualities:

  • Readable text that holds up on different screen sizes.

  • Menus with familiar labels and a consistent structure.

  • Visual effects that add character without competing with the content.

  • Transitions that feel smooth rather than abrupt or distracting.

These are modest design decisions, not grand features, and they cannot make every digital visit enjoyable. Preferences vary, devices behave differently, and a layout that feels intuitive to one person may seem unfamiliar to another. Still, clarity gives visitors a better chance to decide for themselves whether the environment suits them.

More than a promotion-led impression

Promotions can be conspicuous, but they are only one part of a casino’s identity. A lasting impression may instead come from a site that respects attention: one that presents information neatly, avoids visual overload, and makes the overall experience feel coherent. Those qualities do not need to be dramatic. Their value appears over time, in the absence of friction and the ease of returning to a familiar layout.

The balance is worth noticing. Stylish graphics can create a memorable setting, but too much decoration can blur the details. A quieter design can feel comfortable, though it may lack personality. Online casino entertainment sits somewhere between spectacle and usability, and the most appealing spaces often make room for both. When the small choices are handled well, the result is not a promise or a performance. It is simply an environment that feels considered, clear, and comfortable enough to let the entertainment speak for itself.

Where Digital Casino Nights Become a World of Their Own

Online casino entertainment begins before any game appears on the screen. It starts with a mood: a dark background, a soft glow around the navigation bar, and the quiet sense that the ordinary day has been left outside. For an adult audience, the appeal often lies in this carefully designed atmosphere as much as in the games themselves. A well-made casino site feels less like a collection of buttons and more like a digital venue with its own identity, rhythm, and visual language.

The experience can resemble arriving at a modern lounge after sunset. Colours are deeper, typefaces are confident, and small movements give the interface a feeling of life. Nothing needs to be loud to be memorable. A polished platform understands that entertainment can be created through balance: enough animation to hold attention, enough empty space to keep the screen comfortable, and enough visual detail to suggest a larger world beyond the opening page.

The First Impression: Entering a Designed Space

The opening screen sets the tone immediately. Some online casinos favour a theatrical look, using rich reds, gold accents, and dramatic lighting to recall classic gaming rooms. Others choose a contemporary style built around charcoal backgrounds, cool metallic shades, and clean lines. There are also platforms that take a softer route, with muted colours, rounded panels, and an almost lounge-like atmosphere.

These choices shape how the entire visit feels. A crowded screen can seem hurried, while a spacious layout gives the impression of calm confidence. Large images may create excitement, but careful spacing often communicates quality more effectively. The strongest designs guide the eye naturally, allowing the visitor to notice featured entertainment, explore categories, and return to familiar areas without feeling overwhelmed.

  • Colour palettes create the emotional foundation of the interface.
  • Typography gives the platform a distinct personality.
  • Spacing and alignment make the experience feel composed.
  • Motion and transitions add energy without taking over the screen.

Good design also knows when to remain quiet. Menus that open smoothly, icons that are easy to recognise, and pages that load without visual clutter all contribute to a more relaxed form of entertainment. The result is an environment that feels considered rather than mechanical.

A Tour Through Visual Atmospheres

Moving through an online casino can feel like passing between themed rooms. One area may carry the bright, playful energy of an arcade, filled with colourful symbols and lively illustrations. Another may adopt the polished look of a private club, using dark surfaces, restrained highlights, and elegant photography. Live casino sections often use studio imagery to create a sense of presence, while table-game areas may draw on familiar shapes and traditional decorative details.

This variety is part of the pleasure. Adult entertainment does not need to be solemn, but it benefits from a sense of maturity. Designers often achieve that balance by combining bold visual ideas with restrained interfaces. A playful theme might still use refined typography. A glamorous section might avoid excessive decoration. The atmosphere remains inviting because it feels made for grown-up tastes rather than built around noise alone.

Regional identity can add another layer to this visual journey. Local colour preferences, familiar design references, and a sense of place can make an online environment feel more relevant. A useful example of a regionally presented digital entertainment space can be found at verdavento.co.za, where the value of a clear online identity shows how presentation can help shape a visitor’s first impression.

Sound, where available, also influences the mood. Soft background effects can give a page a sense of occasion, while short musical cues may mark transitions or special moments. Many visitors prefer control over these details, so the best interfaces treat sound as an optional layer rather than a constant demand for attention. Visual design remains the main storyteller, with audio adding texture around the edges.

The Character of the Games

Every game brings its own visual character to the wider platform. Some titles are built around polished studio scenes, with presenters, elegant lighting, and a clear sense of ceremony. Others use animation, fantasy settings, travel themes, or familiar cultural imagery. Even traditional formats can look fresh when presented through modern graphics, smooth transitions, and thoughtfully arranged information panels.

The most memorable game environments usually have a coherent point of view. Their symbols, background art, colours, and sound effects appear to belong to the same world. A tropical theme may use layered greens, warm highlights, and gentle movement. A futuristic title may rely on sharp geometry, electric colours, and spacious digital landscapes. A classic design might favour rich textures, formal lettering, and the visual language of an old theatre.

These details give the entertainment a sense of occasion. The visitor is not simply looking at a static screen; they are encountering a small piece of interactive art direction. The quality of the experience can depend on tiny choices, such as how a panel opens, how an image responds to movement, or how clearly the central area is separated from supporting information.

  • Live studio settings create a feeling of social presence.
  • Animated themes turn familiar formats into visual stories.
  • Classic designs offer elegance through texture and tradition.
  • Minimal interfaces appeal to visitors who prefer clarity and calm.

Variety also helps an online casino feel like a destination rather than a single attraction. Different moods can coexist: bright and energetic, quiet and refined, humorous and imaginative. This allows adult visitors to choose an atmosphere that suits the moment without requiring the whole platform to follow one fixed style.

Small Details That Shape the Visit

Beyond colour and imagery, the overall experience is shaped by details that may not be noticed individually. Buttons respond with subtle changes. Cards align neatly. Search fields remain easy to find. Categories use familiar labels and recognisable symbols. These elements reduce visual friction and make the environment feel natural, even when the catalogue is extensive.

Mobile design brings its own creative challenges. A smaller screen leaves less room for decoration, so the interface has to express its personality through compact panels, clear hierarchy, and carefully selected images. The best mobile layouts do not simply shrink a desktop page. They rethink the arrangement, allowing the main visual experience to remain intact while secondary elements become lighter and less intrusive.

Personalisation can add warmth without changing the essential identity of a platform. Recently viewed areas, saved preferences, and themed recommendations can make a return visit feel familiar. When these features are presented quietly, they support the sense that the digital venue remembers its audience without becoming overly familiar or demanding.

Leaving with the Atmosphere Still in Mind

The lasting impression of online casino entertainment often comes from the atmosphere rather than one isolated feature. It may be the glow of a dark interface, the polished look of a live studio, the playful artwork of a themed title, or the calm rhythm of a well-organised page. Together, these elements create a distinctive evening environment that exists entirely on screen.

For adults, that environment can offer a form of escapism shaped by design. It borrows from theatres, lounges, television studios, arcades, and luxury interiors, then brings those influences into a single digital space. The experience is at its best when every visual choice feels connected, from the first landing screen to the smallest transition.

Online casino entertainment has therefore become more than a set of digital tables and colourful games. It is a carefully composed journey through tone, texture, movement, and style. When design leads the experience, the platform gains a personality of its own: welcoming without being excessive, modern without becoming cold, and atmospheric enough to make a short visit feel like a change of scene.

Pedophilia: Busting the myth

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“Pedophile”, the instant we hear this word a lot of references from the media come up and we have this image of a ‘monster’ who has committed a crime of child sexual abuse. However, this use of the term pedophilia is in fact wrong. Pedophilia is a clinical term, and not the description of a criminal profile. In fact, many people who have pedophilia never commit a crime against children, and in turn, many people who sexually abuse children are not even pedophilic. Let us clear this up for you:How experts define pedophilia (and hebephilia)The medical coding system of the World Health Organization (WHO) defines pedophilia as a “sexual preference for children”. More specifically, pedophilia describes the sexual attraction towards the body scheme of prepubescent children who are in the stage before pubertal development – for instance, they have no pubic hair, and in case of girls no developed breast. Researchers estimate that approximately one in 100 men experiences sexual attraction towards children.

Pedophilia is just one type of sexual preference that is associated with minors, another term that is completely new for most people is ‘’hebephilia”. Hebephilia describes a sexual attraction towards children who are at the beginning of their pubertal development, hence hebephilia is a sexual interest in the body scheme of early-pubescent children, who show signs of pubertal development like the onset of pubic hair and breast development.Pedophilia and hebephilia are aspects of the sexual preference, which manifest during puberty, and which is – and this is important – not chosen by the person and not changeable. One could say that pedophilia and hebephilia are rather a result of fate than of choice.Understanding that one is sexually attracted towards children can cause intense distressMany people with pedophilia/hebephilia first notice their sexual attraction towards children and/or young adolescents when they themselves are teenagers. Discovering that one rather feels sexually attracted towards younger kids and not towards his peers, unlike others his age can be a quite disturbing experience for the teenager. The societal stigma attached to pedophilia – namely that people with pedophilia are monsters and should be locked in jail even if they have never touched a child in their lives – adds to feelings of shame and self-hate. Also relieving distress by talking to friends or family about one`s sorrow is most of the times not an option for someone with pedophilia – too big is the fear to be judged or even hated than helped.For people with pedophilia, these increased distress levels and feeling of isolation can actually be a risk factor for impulsive behaviours and sexually acting out against children. Hence, psychotherapeutic treatment can help to interrupt this vicious cycle.Treatment can help people with pedophilia to lead an offense-free and satisfying life“I somehow always knew that I need help – but for the longest time I did not dare to talk to anyone about this issue – the taboo around it was just too big”, describes the participant of a treatment programme for people with pedophilia and hebephilia in Germany. Another says: “Since the beginning [of the treatment] it had a really relieving effect to be able to talk openly about this tabooed topic without being rejected or judged for my sexual preference.” Accepting one`s pedophilia/hebephilia is the first and a crucial step in the treatment: only when one accepts that their sexual preference for pre-and/or early-pubescent-children is both unchangeable as well as persisting, a person will be able to understand for example what their personal risk situations are and how to tackle with their sexual impulses in a way that no child gets hurt. Treatment also helps to cope with stress in a healthy way so that participants do not fall back on using masturbation or sexualized behavior to deal with negative feelings. Sometimes medical treatment which can drastically reduce one`s libido can also be an option – of course only if the concerned person wants this medical option. Treatment for people with pedophilia and/or hebephilia not only aims at preventing child sexual abuse but also to prevent the use of child sexual abuse images (so-called “child pornography”). The production and consumption of child sexual abuse images are a rapidly growing problem worldwide and a considerable number of people with pedophilia and hebephilia turn to watching child sexual abuse images. Children are being exploited in one or the other way, let it be to produce these images or be it the mere act of accessing the content reinforces this abuse cycle. Hence, refraining from the usage of child sexual abuse images is often a treatment goal in therapy.Pedophilia is a disorder, not a crimePedophilia describes the sexual attraction towards prepubescent children, and hebephilia describes the sexual attraction towards early-pubescent children. Pedophilic or Hebephilic sexual preference is not criminal by nature neither are people with pedophilia or hebephilia destined to abuse. Psychological and even medical treatment can support people to deal with their sexual interest in children in a way that they can live fulfilling lives and not act out against children, neither in real life or online by watching child sexual abuse images.________________________________________________________________If you feel sexually attracted to children and/or young adolescents, you can find free and confidential help online: troubled-desire.com.________________________________________________________________References to research articlesDombert, B., Schmidt, A. F., Banse, R., Briken, P., Hoyer, J., Neutze, J., & Osterheider, M. (2016). How common is males’ self-reported sexual interest in prepubescent children? The Journal of Sex Research, 53(2), 214–223. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2015.1020108Jahnke, S. (2018). The Stigma of Pedophilia: Clinical and Forensic Implications. European Psychologist, 23(2), 144–153. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000325Seto, M. C. (2008). Pedophilia and sexual offending against children: Theory, assessment, and intervention. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Pedophilia is not Child Sexual Abuse

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Have you ever read news like “French soldiers accused of paedophilia in custody in France”? This headline is an example of how people share a common misconception by mixing up pedophilia and child sexual abuse.
Articles like this are actually about cases of child sexual abuse. But that does not necessarily mean they are also about pedophilia (which is the sexual preference for children)! That is because pedophilia and child sexual abuse are two different matters. And here is why:
Child sexual abuse is an act, a behavior. In contrast, the term “pedophilia” or the phrase “sexual attraction towards children” describes a sexual preference. Sexual preference is mostly shaped by sexual fantasies, not by sexual acts. In fact, the sexual behavior of a person does not have to coincide with their actual sexual preference. Think of a homosexual woman who is living in a society which does not permit sexual relations between people of the same gender. This woman might get married to a man, have children, and die without ever having had sex with another woman – but that does not change the fact that her fantasies were about women and that she had a sexual preference for women.
Which sexual fantasies a person finds arousing is not something decided by choice. So is the case for people with pedophilia – their preference is a destiny, not a choice. In fact, if people were left a choice whether to be pedophilic or not, most probably no one would choose to be attracted to kids instead of adults.
In a similar context, we can understand that experiencing sexual attraction towards children does not necessarily mean that a person will act on those attractions and commit child sexual abuse; they can stay offense-free their whole life by keeping their “sexual impulses on the fantasy level for a lifetime”. To help people with pedophilia to stay offense-free is the goal of treatment projects like “Don’t Offend India” or “Kein Täter werden” which is German for “Don’t Offend”.
Furthermore, when we look at people who were convicted of child sexual abuse, we find that more than half of them actually do not even have a sexual preference for children (Seto, 2008). It means that a person might have sexual fantasies about adult women, but sexually interacts with a child as a surrogate for an adult of their preference. This can have a number of reasons viz. low intelligence or personality disorders.
To sum it up: People who abuse children are not necessarily pedophilic, and pedophilic people do not necessarily abuse children.

In other words: pedophilia is a preference, and child sexual abuse is a crime. And we do believe it is extremely important not to confuse pedophilia with actual child sexual abuse.
Thanks for reading this article – we hope it helps you to be able to discrimate between a legal case of child sexual abuse from the preference “pedophilia” the next time you read about “pedophiles” in any article!


References
Jahnke, S., Schmidt, A. F., Geradt, M., & Hoyer, J. (2015). Stigma-Related Stress and Its Correlates Among Men with Pedophilic Sexual Interests. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 44(8), 2173–2187. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0503-7
Seto, M. C. (2008). Pedophilia and sexual offending against children: Theory, assessment, and intervention. American Psychological Association.

How Stigma can Increase the Risk of Sexual Offending

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In the last article, we explained how a sexual preference differs from a sexual behaviour, and that many people with a sexual attraction towards children refrain from acting on this preference.

In this article, we talk about how stigma can increase the risk of sexual offending and explain how stigma is associated with sexual offending. Let us begin with an example: X is a 15 year old boy who realises that he is sexually attracted towards children. Would you be willing to engage in a small conversation with him? Would you like to be friends with X? Or do you think X is dangerous and it would be better to maintain some distance from him?

If your answer to the first two questions was No, you may have attitudes similar to many people. Many people have similar answers to these questions. Have you ever thought that the views that we hold about people with pedophilia (PWP) can have an impact on them?

Let’s go back to the example of X introduced in the beginning of this article. He realizes that he is sexually attracted to children. The word ‘pedophile’ comes to his mind. All he ever read about “pedophiles” is that they are ‘monsters’ and an enemy of society. He might even start to believe that, sooner or later, he will inevitably act on his attraction. With the sexual attraction towards children being a societal taboo to discuss, he would be discouraged to confide even in his close friends and family. He would probably try to isolate himself from others and strive hard to keep his sexual preference a secret because of fear of rejection. He might be too scared to seek professional help, even for his emotional problems (if not for his distress because of his sexual attraction). This might lead to further problems such as mood disorders, anxiety and/or substance abuse disorders. Factors like loneliness or substance abuse can increase the vulnerability for sexual offending and this is how the stigma can not only be unjust but also indirectly harmful.

Research has shown that people generally have a strong negative attitude toward PWP1. Often, PWP are perceived as ‘monsters’ who are a threat to society and should be punished. Furthermore, the general public is of the opinion that PWP could change their attraction towards adults if they wanted to. They express feelings of anger, disgust, and hostility towards PWP. These kinds of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral reactions of the general public stigmatise PWP.

PWP may find it difficult to seek professional help because of the fear of being judged, doubts about the professional’s understanding of their problem, and concerns related to not receiving ethical treatment. Thus there are very few options available for those in need. However, it is important they seek help from the right people.

Conclusion :

In short, stigma can increase the risk of sexual offending.

In the next blog, we will talk about the risk factors for sexual offending.

References:

1. Jahnke, S., Imhoff, R., & Hoyer, J. (2015). Stigmatization of people with pedophilia: Two comparative surveys. Archives of sexual behavior, 44(1), 21-34.

Jahnke, S., & Hoyer, J. (2013). Stigmatization of people with pedophilia: A blind spot in stigma research. International Journal of Sexual Health, 25(3), 169-184

Does watching child pornography lead to contact sexual offense

Prevention of child sexual abuse is in our hands, and together we can prevent a child with sexual abuse.

In this article we discuss whether viewing child sexual abuse material (so called child pornography) increases the risk of contact sexual offenses. 

Person X, 23 year old, single male is inclined to watch so-called child pornography. With high speed internet available at home and even at his workplace, there are not many obstacles in his way to fulfil his wishes. When we think of the consequences of viewing so called child pornography there are multiple questions that come to our minds. Does watching the so-called child pornography not increase the risk that this person might commit sexual offenses? Or does it act as a buffer to channelize his sexual impulses and prevent cases of contact sexual abuse? The following explanations will reveal that these deceptively simple questions are not easy to answer. 

Seto and Eke analysed the association between child pornography use and subsequent acts of contact sexual offenses. Their results showed that 1.3% of the sample committed contact sexual offense4. In another study, Riegel (2004) conducted an internet based survey on people who identified themselves as Boy-Attracted Pedosexual Males (BPM). When this group was asked if consumption of child pornographic material increased their desire to commit sexual acts with minors, 84.5% of the group replied ‘rarely’ or ‘never’. The above findings point to the possibility that child pornography alone does not lead to contact sexual offending. 

Furthermore, there is evidence that child sexual offenses are committed before engaging in child pornography. In 2011, Eke et al. did an extensive study of 541 child pornography offenders. Out of these, 30% had also committed contact sexual offenses. Within this sample majority of the contact sexual offenses were committed before (18%) the child pornography offenses or at the same time (8%); only 3.9% of these offenders committed contact sexual offenses following their child pornography offenses over a period of 5.9 years. In another study, majority (84%) of the contact sexual offenses were reported before engaging in child pornography offending.6 In another study, Howit (1995) studied the role of child pornography in sex offeding. His results indicated that viewing pornography did not precede the sexual offense. Thus a simple direct causal effect of viewing pornography on offending was not supported by this study.

There are other factors which interact and determine if a person will act out or not. Sexual deviance is a major risk factor for sexual recidivism. In addition, antisocial tendency is another major risk factor. We will not be talking about these factors in detail since it is beyond the scope of this article. 

The aim of this article was only to elucidate if viewing so called child pornography leads to contact sexual offenses. It does not, in any way, justify, or advocate the use of so-called child pornography or child sexual abuse material. In the reality viewing CASM and contact sexual abuse both are seriously harmful for children.  

In conclusion, a number of people who engage in child pornography offending also commit contact sexual offenses. However, there are some who don’t. Hence a direct causal link between the two cannot be established and more research is warranted.  

References: 

  1. Aslan D., & Edelmann R. (2014). Demographic and offence characteristics: A comparison of sex offenders convicted of possessing indecent images of children, committing contact sex offences or both offences. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 25, 121-134.
  2. Babchishin, K. M., Hanson, R. K., & Hermann, C. A. (2011). The characteristics of online sex offenders: A meta-analysis. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 23, 92-123
  3. Bourke, M., & Hernandez, A. (2009). The “Butner Study” redux: A report of the incidence of hands-on child victimization by child pornography offenders. Journal of Family Violence, 24, 183-191
  1. Eke, A. W., Seto, M. C., & Williams, J. (2011). Examining the criminal history and future offending of child pornography offenders: An extended prospective follow-up study. Law and Human Behavior, 35, 466-478
  2. Endrass, J., Urbaniok, F., Hammermeister, L. C., Benz, C., Elbert, T., Laubacher, A., & Rossegger, A. (2009). The consumption of Internet child pornography and violent and sex offending. BmC Psychiatry, 9(1), 43.
  3. McCarthy, J. A. (2010). Internet sexual activity: A comparison between contact and noncontact child pornography offenders. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 16, 181-195