Israeli Educator Launches ON to Help Men Overcome Porn Addiction Through Habit Change
Matan Livne, a 37-year-old educator and founder of ON, has created a program aimed at helping men break free from pornography consumption. Livne, who meets thousands of young men annually, observed that even with high-quality sexual education, pornography remains a pervasive, anonymous, free, and constantly available influence. He emphasizes that the addictive nature of pornography can undermine healthy sexual messages and impair the brain's decision-making abilities.
Livne explains that pornography acts as an intense dopamine stimulus, stronger than the brain is designed to handle, which can lead to compulsive use, feelings of emptiness, loss of control, and damage to self-esteem. These effects extend beyond sexuality, impacting overall life quality. His initiative, ON, offers a daily app-based program with simple tasks such as journaling, breathing exercises, and theoretical learning to help users rebuild their ability to choose and resist urges.
Unlike approaches that focus solely on abstinence, ON encourages users to continue practicing even after setbacks, reducing shame and guilt that often weaken recovery efforts. Livne stresses that consuming pornography does not equate to failure and that overcoming negative emotions is crucial to developing the resources needed for change.
While ON is designed specifically for men, reflecting the male-targeted nature of most pornography, Livne acknowledges that the method could benefit anyone wishing to quit. He advises those struggling to look beyond sexual desire and consider what they might be trying to escape, noting that habitual pornography use often masks underlying pain or frustration. The real challenge, he says, is learning to live with discomfort without immediate escape.
Livne’s recommendation is complete avoidance of pornography, based on his understanding of its harms and the benefits of life without it. His approach combines neuroscience, habit change theory, and compassionate self-awareness to support men in reclaiming control over their sexual health and overall well-being.
