Summary:
Multiple large, secular studies show many adults want help limiting porn use.
In a U.S. nationally representative sample, 11% of men and 3% of women agreed with the statement: “I am addicted to pornography.”
A 42-country study estimates 3–17% of adults are at risk of Problematic Pornography Use (PPU) — with many wanting help but not getting it.
Large adult communities (e.g., NoFap: 1M+ members) and significant installs of accountability apps (Ever Accountable, Accountable2You, Covenant Eyes) confirm this is a mainstream adult wellness need, not just a parental-control issue.
The Growing Need for Adult Pornography Protection
Pornography consumption is widespread among adults, but many want to cut back or stop entirely.
A national U.S. study published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions found that 11% of men and 3% of women agreed with the statement, “I am addicted to pornography.” (Source: Grubbs et al., 2019, PubMed)
Globally, the International Sex Survey (2024) across 42 countries estimated that between 3.2% and 16.6% of adults are at risk of PPU. Only 4–10% of those at risk had sought professional help, while another 21–37% wanted help but didn’t seek it—often due to shame, cost, or accessibility barriers. (Source: Bőthe et al., 2024, Addiction Journal)
These findings reveal a significant global audience of adults seeking real support for healthier digital and sexual habits.
Global Market Trends: Adults Voluntarily Seeking to Quit Pornography
The desire to reduce or quit pornography is part of a growing international movement centered on digital wellness and self-regulation.
The NoFap community, a secular peer-support platform, reports over one million members worldwide who are committed to abstaining from pornography and masturbation. (Source: NoFap.com)
This kind of community-based movement shows that adults are actively pursuing better focus, stronger relationships, and improved mental health through accountability and digital discipline.
Accountability Apps: The New Digital Wellness Tools for Adults
Accountability and porn-blocking apps are no longer just for parents—they’ve become essential self-management tools for adults.
On Android alone, download data shows substantial voluntary adoption:
- Ever Accountable (EA): 100K+ installs
- Accountable2You (A2Y): 10K+ installs
- Covenant Eyes (Victory App): 100K+ installs
Because Apple doesn’t publish the number of downloads in the app store, these numbers are vastly undercounted (not factoring in desktop users either).
Android install numbers show hundreds of thousands of adults actively using accountability tools to stay focused and aligned with their goals.
Digital Wellness and Mental Health: Why Pornography Control Matters
Excessive pornography use can impact concentration, motivation, and relationships. These concerns are now more widely acknowledged by mental health professionals.
The World Health Organization’s ICD-11 includes Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) as an impulse-control disorder, recognizing that some adults experience pornography use as a behavioral challenge rather than a moral failure. (Source: Kraus et al., World Psychiatry, 2018)
Understanding behavioral issues in a medical light helps destigmatize the issue, encouraging open conversation and access to effective support.
Overall this leads to more adults actively seeking help to avoid online pornography, greatly improving their outlook on life and empowering them to reach for their highest potential.
References
- Grubbs JB, Kraus SW, Perry SL. Self-reported addiction to pornography in a nationally representative sample. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 2019.
- Bőthe B, Koós M, Estève D, et al. Problematic pornography use across countries, genders, and sexual orientations: Insights from the International Sex Survey. Addiction, 2024.
- NoFap — “Over a million members” community claim. NoFap.com.
- Google Play download data: Ever Accountable (100K+), Accountable2You (10K+), Covenant Eyes (Victory) (100K+).
- Kraus SW, Krueger RB, Briken P, et al. Compulsive sexual behaviour disorder in the ICD-11. World Psychiatry, 2018.
