The group's views and efforts to combat pornography addiction have been criticized as simplistic, outdated, and incorrect by neuroscientists, psychologists, and other medical professionals, with the purported science behind the group's activities said to come from anti-porn activist Gary Wilson, 'an Oregon man with no scientific training or background, who has made a career peddling pseudoscience.' NoFap is part of the manosphere, online groups credited with disseminating misogynist discourses. Other reasons include religious and moral reasons, self-improvement, and physical beliefs that are not supported by medicine. While reasons for this avoidance vary by individual, the main motivation cited is attempting to overcome addiction to pornography, or other compulsive sexual behaviours. Its name comes from the slang term fap, referring to male masturbation.

NoFap is a website and community forum that serves as a support group for those who wish to give up pornography and masturbation.