Rising trend of Gen Z adult content creation: Impacts on mental health and legal risks

Guwahati: A rising number of Gen Z users are turning to adult content creation for instant fame and financial gain, sparking concern among legal experts, mental health experts, and civil society.

While psychologists warn that the trend may fuel internet addiction disorder, legal experts caution that it could lead to criminal behaviour.Dimpy Mahanta, head of the department of psychology at Cotton University and president of the North East Indian Association of Applied Psychology (NEIAAP), said internet addiction — particularly among Generation Z — has emerged as a pressing societal concern with implications far beyond mere distraction.

Growing up in digitally saturated environments, she said, this generation is increasingly vulnerable to compulsive online behaviours.“These behaviours can lead to emotional dysregulation, diminished interpersonal skills, and exposure to exploitative digital spaces, including adult content creation. What may initially appear as creative self-expression can quickly evolve into dependency, posing risks to psychological well-being and ethical discernment,” Mahanta said.

In educational settings, the consequences are especially pronounced. Mahanta observed that the pervasive use of digital media has contributed to a marked decline in attention spans, cognitive endurance, and the capacity for sustained focus — skills essential for deep learning and intellectual development.“As a result, formal education faces the risk of being devalued, with students gravitating toward superficial digital rewards and instant gratification rather than engaging in reflective, critical, and patient inquiry.

This shift in cognitive and behavioural patterns fosters impulsivity, reduces frustration tolerance, and undermines resilience,” she added.Mahanta said addressing this multifaceted issue requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach. Digital literacy must be embedded into curricula from primary through tertiary education, supported by coordinated efforts from parents, educators, and mentors to establish healthy digital boundaries.Meanwhile, Gauhati high court advocate Bijan Mahajan said the creation, publication, and dissemination of obscene or sexually explicit content on digital platforms are punishable under multiple statutes, including the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.He added that Section 67 of the IT Act criminalises the publication or transmission of obscene material in electronic form.

A first conviction may result in imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh, while subsequent convictions may lead to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.Section 67A of the Act specifically addresses sexually explicit content, prescribing imprisonment of up to 5 years and a fine of Rs 10 lakh for the first offence. Repeat offenders may face up to 7 years of imprisonment with the same fine.

Similarly, the advocate said that section 294 of the BNS pertains to the sale, distribution, and public exhibition of obscene materials in physical or electronic form. A first-time offender may be punished with imprisonment of up to 2 years, and for repeat offences, the imprisonment may be extended to 5 years with a fine.“The creation, publication, and dissemination of obscene or sexually explicit content online often stem from legal unawareness and a decline in social values.

This issue must be addressed through the combined efforts of legal experts, academics, psychologists, and society at large by fostering awareness of digital boundaries,” Mahajan said, warning that unchecked behaviour may escalate into criminal activity.People from the spiritual field believe that the mind and thoughts can be controlled through spiritual practice, which can be a way to mitigate the threat posed by the excessive use of the internet and consumption of unhealthy digital content.