Benjamin Edelman, the Harvard economics professor who tracked subscriptions to online porn sites noted that subscriptions were “particularly widespread where young people are prevalent” (Ibid.). Obviously Utah has a high proportion of young people and this would partially account for the high use, but isn’t that scary? Children and youth can be exposed and addicted so quickly. Parents are often not aware of the problem. It is difficult to solve a problem that you don’t know exists. Parents need to be aware of the following facts:
1. Sellers of porn purposely try to expose our children. They know that children exposed to hard-core porn as teens and younger are more likely to be sexually addicted later, and so in the long run they will make more money (Dr. Rick Hawks, psychologist).
2. Internet access to porn can cause instant addiction. Pictures placed with impact in the mind remain there for vivid recall.
3. In the year 2000 95 percent of children under 10 in the U.S. had been exposed to pornography (Phil Burress, Impact America Conference, April, 2000). Does that leave very many children/teens unexposed today?
4. The movie, magazine, video and television industries are purposely exposing our children. Through advertisements and exposure of adult concepts they are succeeding at a high rate. Desensitized parents allow children/teens to (1) see sexual images that the children/teens cannot handle (2) normalize immoral concepts.
5. The American Library Association and many of today’s national leaders feel that children should have access to “all” materials including what most of us would consider inappropriate sexual materials. Much of the material that was considered legally obscene 30 years ago can be found in today’s local bookstores and on newsstands, according to Dr. John Harmer in The Lighted Candle Society Newsletter, March 2009.
6. Pornography desensitizes the viewer. It escalates and causes immoral and deviant sexual behavior.
7. Cell phones, video games and ipods can provide sources of pornography.
So how can I tell if my child/teen is involved in pornography?
A short time ago someone said, “My teen isolates a lot. He locks his bedroom door and turns off the computer if I enter the room. I know he has seen a little pornography but I don’t think he has seen much. Do you think I have a problem?” “Yes!” was my immediate answer. Here are indicators:
1. Large amounts of time online
2. The monitor of the computer is turned off as you enter the room.
3. The room is locked.
4. Lying about computer use, cell phone use, ipod use
5. Isolation from the family and often friends
6. Erased sites in the history of the computer
7. Pornography is found anywhere in any form.
8. Thinking changes.
9. Tolerance for bad movies changes.
10. Ideas about what is appropriate changes.
11. Loss of respect for women and girls
12. Acting out of sexual behavior
13. Improper touching, even in fun
14. High phone bills
15. Unmonitored chat rooms
16. The teen won’t talk.
Pornography use is like drug abuse. If you see just the tip of the problem, there is much more underneath.
Education is a key to avoiding pornography use. Take time to share this article with the parents of your children’s friends. Next week I will give you a list of ways to prevent exposure.
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