Australia's Public Broadcaster ABC Blames 'Online Porn' for STI Crisis

Australia's Public Broadcaster ABC Blames 'Online Porn' for STI Crisis

CANBERRA, Australia — The government-funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation published a stigmatizing report Wednesday alleging a supposed link between a current STI epidemic and “online pornography.”

National public broadcaster ABC sensationally led the report with the shocking-if-true claim that “watching pornography is leading to an increase in the number of young people having unprotected sex and contracting gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).”

The only source quoted in support of this claim, however, was one “sexual health nurse and educator” named Vanessa Hamilton, who was promoting her business, Talking the Talk Healthy Sexuality Education.

This apparent paucity of actual expertise on the subject would seemingly explain why ABC deployed the passive voice in its headline, “Online Porn Blamed for Jump in Gonorrhea Infections as Race for Vaccine Heats Up.”

Hamilton told ABC reporters Nicole Dyer and Tom Forbes that "pornography was the only avenue many young people used to learn about sex. We really need to look at the broad picture when it comes to sexuality education. When I ask parents, 'Where are our kids getting their information from?' they say, TikTok, pornography, YouTube. Hardly anyone said parents, home or school."

According to the article, Hamilton “has spent 25 years working as a sexual health nurse” and this has led her to conclude that “many young people were watching pornography, which often involves penetration without the use of condoms.”

“We really need to eroticize condoms in an engaging way for young people,” Hamilton stated, without specifying whom she meant by “we” or how her mandate of eroticizing prophylactics might be enacted.

"The fear-and-danger approach of 'don't get a sexually transmitted infection' or 'don't get pregnant' doesn't really resonate," Hamilton added.

ABC then interviewed Kate Seib, an associate professor at Griffith University and a principal researcher at the university's Institute for Glycomics. Seib, an actual expert on STIs, spoke at length about the island nation’s gonorrhea epidemic, but at no point suggested any link between STIs and watching adult content online.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Show More