Breaking the Barrier: A Content Analysis of Condom Use Behaviors in Popular Online Pornography

No study to date has examined the norms conveyed when condoms are depicted in online pornography. This gap is critical given the popularity of such content and growing evidence that adolescents and young adults turn to pornography for sexual information. Guided by the ₃AM model, three coders analyzed 101 condom-tagged videos from popular websites, each with at least 2 million views. Using CDC guidelines, correct condom use was assessed and found that none of the videos demonstrated all seven recommended steps. Condoms were not used for STI prevention during oral or penetrative sex. Consent for condom removal was often nonverbal and more commonly initiated by the partner being penetrated. However, when the penetrator removed the condom, consent was obtained only half the time, suggesting that violations of informed consent may be normalized. While condoms were present, they were often depicted in ways that diminished their purpose-such as being removed mid-act or portrayed as undesirable-frequently tied to storylines emphasizing taboo or risk. These findings contribute to the literature by illustrating how condom use is represented in widely viewed pornography and identifying clear targets for intervention. Sexual health programs should address condom-related narratives and misinformation conveyed in popular pornography, emphasizing media literacy and safer sex communication.