Background <p>Pornography addiction is increasingly concerning among young adults, including nursing students, who face high academic and professional pressures. Easy internet access has escalated porn consumption, leading to potential addiction with significant impacts on mental health and personality.</p> Methods <p>This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relationship between pornography addiction, mental health, and personality traits among 828 nursing students from Zagazig University and Alexandria University. Data were collected using the Pornography Addiction Screening Tool (PAST), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Big Five Inventory (BFI) Scale.</p> Results <p>The study revealed that pornography addiction was found in 5.6% of students, with a mean addiction score of 23.07. The mean scores for the Big Five personality traits were highest for Openness (33.53) and lowest for Extraversion (23.78). The mean scores for anxiety, depression, and stress were 16.24, 15.41, and 16.82, respectively. Higher levels of pornography addiction were significantly correlated with increased anxiety (<i>r</i> = 0.369, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), depression (<i>r</i> = 0.441, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and stress (<i>r</i> = 0.319, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and lower levels of personality traits except neuroticism. Regression analysis identified pornography addiction and time spent watching porn as significant predictors of both BFI and DASS-21 scores.</p> Conclusion <p>The study highlights critical issues among predominantly female and single nursing students related to internet usage, pornography consumption, personality traits, and mental health. These students spend substantial time online, with a notable portion engaging in pornography viewing, which is perceived negatively. Significant levels of pornography addiction are associated with adverse effects on personality traits and increased mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Regression analysis underscores the impact of pornography addiction and viewing duration on both personality traits and mental health outcomes.</p> Nursing implications <p>Universities should implement targeted interventions to address pornography addiction among nursing students. This includes integrating awareness programs into the curriculum, providing accessible counseling services, and promoting healthy coping mechanisms for stress management. Additionally, universities should develop policies to foster a supportive academic environment and encourage responsible internet use.</p> Clinical trial number <p>Not applicable.</p>