SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A new study is revealing, what some may consider, startling information about Utahns and what they do online. New research shows Utah is number one in the nation for online pornography subscriptions.
The research is just coming out Tuesday, from a study done by Harvard Business School Professor Benjamin Edelman, published in the Journal of Economic Perspectives. It tracks subscriptions to online pornography sites by states.
The study measures the online porn subscriptions per thousand people, per thousand homes with internet users, per thousand homes with broadband users, and also when accounting for the differences in income, age, education and marital status.
Utah tops the list in every category.
In the category, “per thousand people”, Utah had 1.69 subscriptions per thousand. Followed by Hawaii 1.37, and Alaska 1.15. Last, West Virginia .50.
In the category, “per thousand homes with internet users”, Utah had 2.49 subscriptions per thousand. Followed by Hawaii 2.19, and Nevada 1.85. Last, West Virginia .89
In the category, “per thousand homes with broadband users,” Utah had 5.47 subscriptions per thousand. Followed by Alaska 5.03, and Mississippi 4.30. Last, Montana 1.92.
In the category accounting for differences in income, age, education, and marital status, Utah had 1.89 subscriptions per thousand. Followed by Florida 1.26, and Alaska 1.08. Last, Idaho -1.11.
The study found subscriptions were more prevalent in states that have enacted conservative legislation on sexuality, and states with younger populations.
When asked about Utah specifically, the author of the study, Benjamin Edelman, said one possibility why Utah may be so high among online pornography subscriptions is because pornography is more difficult to find there. He said among people who wish to view it, online may be their only option.
To view the research click on the link embedded in this story.
