“Your kids will never use porn”
You're not alone if you think your elementary-age kids would never get into porn. In the UK, 75% of surveyed parents believed this, too. [1]
Sadly, they found out they were wrong. When these parents talked about porn with their children, they discovered that 53% had already viewed porn.
Some experts say the average age for the first exposure to porn is between ages 10 and 12. Usually, a child first sees porn accidentally. [2]
But, children are often influenced to look at porn on friends’ phones or devices.
Sometimes, sheer natural curiosity about sex or their bodies causes them to go back and look at more porn. Sadly, it’s not uncommon for even a family friend or relative to expose a child to porn.
Searching for homework answers is yet another common way kids stumble upon porn.
But this is not okay! Porn is dangerous for kids. It shows them fake sex. It paints false expectations for future relationships. Porn is a terrible teacher. [3] Porn can lead kids to think sexual abuse is okay and normal. [4]
Porn overloads a child’s brain and emotions, which are still developing! Porn is a super-stimulus. [5]
It is so important to talk to your children about sex and relationships at their age level. Also, talk about good pictures and bad pictures. Prepare your kids to refuse to take a second glance at porn. They will also know it’s safe to talk to you about any porn they accidentally see. [6]
Also, protect your kids as much as you can from viewing porn. Set up blockers and filters on anything that gives them internet access. Teach them that you will be a safe adult and check on their internet viewing habits because you love them.
You might feel worn down, tired and hopeless because the lies of porn have told you there is no way out. You might feel like you are so far gone because you’ve tried so many times to end your relationship with porn without success. Or, perhaps you love someone stuck in an endless cycle of indulgence and regret.
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-49837920
[2] https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/19232050.x/
[3] https://metro.co.uk/2022/01/23/i-felt-like-i-couldnt-say-no-the-truth-about-kids-and-porn-15956276/
[4] Wright PJ, Paul B, Herbenick D. Preliminary Insights from a U.S. Probability Sample on Adolescents' Pornography Exposure, Media Psychology, and Sexual Aggression. J Health Commun. 2021 Jan 2;26(1):39-46. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2021.1887980. Epub 2021 Feb 24. PMID: 33625313.[5]https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/140/Supplement_2/S57/34173/Digital-Screen-Media-and-Cognitive-Development
[6] https://www.everaccountable.com/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-porn/