By Jennifer Elizabeth Masters
When my husband told me my son was watching porn on the Internet, I was in complete denial. My sweet little 12-year-old boy? Never! How wrong I was. If you think your child has not been exposed to pornography, think again. If your child has
Parents are busy these days. Often both parents work away from home. When a computer is left unattended without parental controls on it, most boys will begin to search what they are curious about. Boys especially are curious about sex. (I have statistics below for you). 87% of students have a cell phone. Sexting is a growing issue. Protect your children. Do your research. Even if you don't have a computer at home, children have access to the Internet at friend's houses, school, and the library.
When my husband told me my son was watching porn on the Internet, I was in complete denial. My sweet little 12-year-old boy? Never! How wrong I was. If you think your child has not been exposed to pornography, think again. If your child has
access to a computer and you don't have parental controls on it, your teen has most likely seen some version of pornography. If your child has a phone, he or she has probably received a SEXT message from someone else.
So what's wrong with that, you ask? A lot. Pornography is not the place to learn about love, relationships or sex. Pornography is the place to learn about disconnected sex. The potential exists for a teen to become addicted to both, masturbation and pornography. Pornography can also expose your child to sexual violence. Teens have questions about sex. It is natural for them to be curious about something they begin to feel in their bodies. Young people need to learn about sex from a grounded loving parent, rather than a porn star on the net. Kids have urges. Sex is everywhere. Thinking that your child won't have sex just because you don't want them to is not enough of a deterrent.
Parents are busy these days. Often both parents work away from home. When a computer is left unattended without parental controls on it, most boys will begin to search what they are curious about. Boys especially are curious about sex. (I have statistics below for you). 87% of students have a cell phone. Sexting is a growing issue. Protect your children. Do your research. Even if you don't have a computer at home, children have access to the Internet at friend's houses, school, and the library.
Signs Your Child Is Watching Porn
- You have a computer.
- Your child has access to the computer or cell phone when you are not around.
- Your child is often in their room with the door closed, or locked, or their computer is password protected.
- Your child is up long after you go to bed "watching movies on their computer."
- Your teen is often tired in the middle of the day.
What's the big deal you ask? The pornography that your child may have witnessed may have been something other than a man and woman engaged in regular sex. It could have been something you could never have imagined.
Everything from bestiality to same-sex acts is available on the Internet. If your child has free range on a computer, they can be witnessing acts that could change them forever. You and I may not want to watch certain acts, but teens with curiosity are being exposed to situations that could taint them and certainly remove their innocence. We don't know what exposure to pornography can do to anyone long-term. We don't have those statistics yet.
Statistics
5,436 students were surveyed in grades 4 - 11. The results are astounding.
- Almost all boys and 93% of boys and 62% of girls has been exposed to Internet porn before the age of 18.
- Kids are starting to watch porn on the Internet as early as 6 and begin flirting at age 8 on the Internet. USA Today.
- 70% of boys have spent a consecutive 30 minutes watching porn.
- 83% of boys and 57% of girls have seen group sex on the Internet.
- 69% of boys and 55% of girls have seen same-sex intercourse on the Internet.
- 39% of boys and 23% of girls have seen sex acts depicting bondage on the Internet.
- 32% of boys and 18% of girls have seen bestiality on the Internet.
- 1 in 5 high school students has received a sext (naked photo) sent from someone else. Canadian survey here.
- 32% of boys grades 7-11 have received a SEXT, 17% of girls have.
- 25% of boys who sent a sext of themselves says it was then forwarded to someone else.
- Less than 1 in 5 teens thinks that oral-genital contact is sex.
Jennifer Elizabeth Masters is a mother of three. She is the author of Orgasm For Life and is a love and passion coach. To open a dialogue with her about her coaching schedule your free 30-minute
discovery session here to see if her work is a good fit for you.
Jennifer's work is grounded in self-love. She empowers her clients to love and accept themselves as they are now. Self Mastery leads to fulfillment, lasting happiness and healthy, balanced relationships. Positive self-esteem is the cornerstone to healing all addictions, including codependency. If you jump from one relationship to another and feel a relationship will fill you and make you happy, connect with Jennifer.
