The Porn Phenomenon

Dave Kinnaman, President of Barna Group, shared the results of the 2016 Porn Phenomenon research study commissioned by Josh McDowell Ministry and Covenant Eyes. The research shows that the porn problem runs deep and significantly affects the Church and our youth. Here are a few of his main points:

• Porn use is fueled by a new moral code embraced by society that says (1) people should not criticize someone else’s life choices, (2) people can believe whatever they want as long as their beliefs don’t impact society, and (3) any kind of sexual expression between two consenting adults is acceptable.
• A new type of pornography has emerged. Porn 2.0, as Barna labeled it, is often self-created, shared with friends or significant others, includes sexting and is encouraged and rewarded by celebrities like Kim Kardashian. Porn 2.0 offers the same trauma and harms as traditional porn.
• There are signs of hope in spite of the growing problem. The Christian community is becoming aware of the problem and the need for holistic solutions. Porn is no longer socially taboo to discuss, and millions are expressing guilt about using it. Christians do not struggle with it to the same degree as other groups.

About David Kinnaman

David Kinnaman is the author of the bestselling books Good Faith, You Lost Me and unChristian. He is president of Barna Group, a leading research and communications company that works with churches, nonprofits, and businesses ranging from film studios to financial services. Since 1995, David has directed interviews with nearly one million individuals and overseen hundreds of U.S. and global research studies. He and his wife live in California with their three children.

About Roxanne Stone

Roxanne Stone is Editor in Chief at Barna Group and the general editor of the FRAMES series. She has more than a decade of experience in publishing, serving as an editor at Christianity Today, Group Publishing, Q Ideas and This Is Our City, and as the editorial director for RELEVANT magazine and its sister publications Reject Apathy and Neue. She has edited books, magazines, web sites and curriculum; and is the author of dozens of articles, including an award-winning cover story on the relief efforts in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. In addition, Roxanne curated and cohosted the first annual Q Women event.