The untold toll of pornography on Tanzania’s university students

A recent survey conducted by The Citizen across four institutions—the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), the University of Dodoma (UDOM), Mzumbe University, and the National Institute of Transport (NIT)—revealed that both male and female students are grappling with compulsive pornography consumption.

Most of the students, aged between 19 and 27, shared their experiences through confidential WhatsApp video calls and voice notes. Many said what began as innocent curiosity eventually spiralled into a daily struggle with addiction.

Michael (not his real name), a third-year Mining Engineering student at UDOM, recalled his journey into addiction. “I thought it was harmless—until I couldn’t stop,” he said.

He explained that he was first introduced to explicit content during Form Five by a friend. “At first it was funny,” he said. “Then I found myself watching it alone—especially when I was stressed or had exams. It became my escape.”

Michael now consumes pornographic content daily and admits that it affects his concentration, causes guilt, and lowers his self-worth.

A female student at UDSM, who requested anonymity, shared a similar experience. “I never imagined girls could be addicted too. My boyfriend at the time used to watch and insisted we try the things he saw,” she said.

“After we broke up, I continued watching. It made me feel unworthy and confused about my body.” Although she is now receiving counselling and slowly recovering, she still finds it difficult to talk about the issue openly.

Academic, mental and health toll

Psychologist Dr Neema Kamanzi said pornography addiction remains widely misunderstood and often trivialised, yet it has serious consequences for young people.

 “Addiction rewires the brain. It reduces attention span, alters sexual expectations, and fosters isolation,” she told The Citizen.

“Some students miss classes, perform poorly, and become socially withdrawn,” she said, adding that many cases go unreported due to stigma—particularly among female students.

Public health expert Mr Baraka Mwaluko, based in Morogoro, noted that the effects of addiction can be both psychological and physiological.

“Prolonged porn addiction can lead to erectile dysfunction in men, reduced libido in both genders, anxiety, and depression,” he said. “There’s also an increased risk of engaging in unsafe sex due to distorted perceptions of intimacy.”

Findings from the field

According to the survey, 67 percent of the students interviewed admitted to watching pornography regularly. Of these, 41 percent said they began before joining university, while 29 percent reported watching more than once a day.

Additionally, 63 percent of those who identified as addicted said their academic performance had been negatively affected, while 48 percent admitted to relapsing after attempting to stop.

Only 20 percent had sought counselling, with many citing challenges such as lack of confidentiality and limited access to support services.

A peer mentor at Mzumbe University, who requested anonymity, said: “Many male students opened up to me during Covid-19, when isolation pushed them deeper into it. But the shame and fear of being judged keep them silent.”

Female students are not exempt. A second-year transport student at NIT said she began watching pornography following a painful breakup.

“It was a way to numb my emotions. But it made me anxious and insecure. I couldn’t talk to anyone. People think only men watch porn, so I kept it a secret,” she said.

Call for institutional action

Education sociologist Mr Felix Mbise stressed the need for urgent institutional responses. “We cannot afford to ignore this anymore,” he said.

“Universities must integrate digital well-being into their student support programmes.” He recommended regular awareness workshops, anonymous hotlines, and peer support groups that students can easily access.

Mr Mwaluko called for a multi-pronged approach to tackle the issue, including digital literacy training to guide students on responsible internet usage.

He also emphasised the importance of expanding access to counselling services, ensuring they are confidential, student-friendly, and non-judgemental.

Furthermore, he urged parents to become more aware of the issue. “Many families assume their children are immune to such struggles—especially high-achieving students. But even the best performers can be silently battling addiction,” he warned.

A global trend

Globally, studies estimate that between 30 and 40 percent of internet users consume pornography regularly, with young people comprising a significant proportion.

A 2023 Sauti za Vijana survey found that more than 55 percent of university students in East Africa had accessed pornographic content in the previous month, while 38 percent exhibited addiction-like behaviour. Though recent national data is lacking, Tanzania appears to mirror this regional trend.

Back at UDSM, Michael says he has since joined a support group that meets weekly. “What saved me was realising I wasn’t alone,” he said. “We shouldn’t pretend this isn’t happening. The more we hide it, the worse it gets.”

Editor’s Note: Names have been altered to protect identities.