What is pornography?

Pornography can for example be texts, pictures, movies and other illustrations depicting sexual acts. Pornography only involves physical sexual acts. All other aspects of sexuality, such as love and affection, are ignored. Therefore, pornography is indeed never the same as real sex. Pornography serves to satisfy people's interest in sexual things.

Is pornography allowed in Norway?

In Norway, it is permitted to produce, watch, own, show, buy, sell, trade or distribute in another way legal pornographic material in the form of texts, recordings, pictures, movies and other illustrations. 

Legal pornography

  1. Everyone must participate willingly.
  2. Everyone must agree to its publication.
  3. Everyone must be at least 18 years old.
  4. A person must be at least 18 years old in order to produce, watch, own, show, buy, sell trade or distribute in another way pornographic material. It is forbidden to show or give pornographic material to persons under the age of 18 years.

Illegal pornography: what is forbidden?

There are certain forms of pornography that are forbidden in Norway. It is illegal to produce, watch, own, show, sell, trade or distribute in another way such pornography.

The following is forbidden:

  • acts of violence, such as rape
  • sexual acts by people with animals
  • sexual acts with children (a person under 18, see also 'child pornography')
  • pictures of a naked or partially naked child/young person in a way that sexualises the child 
  • sexually suggestive pictures of a child's genital area (vagina, buttocks and breast for girls or buttocks and penis for boys)

Too much pornography

If you watch pornography, such as pornographic movies, too often, it can become too much. If you feel you are losing control, you can seek advice from your general practitioner or the public health centre and school health services.

Dictionary and translations

Looking for help? Find a health professional.

Help