Online Porn on Teen Sexuality
Last year, Internet providers in Great Britain did something unprecedented: They put a block on all adult material unless the customer requests otherwise. Those who would like to look at such material might find this move annoying, but many parents are thankful to no longer have to worry about the porn their kids could potentially be exposed to.
The initiative was enacted due to a growing problem: Our kids are being sexualized at much too young an age. In the past, kids usually had to go to great lengths to get a dirty magazine or photograph, and in most cases, those images were tame in comparison to the hardcore style of porn that can be found on the Internet today.
Is Porn Really Bad for Teens?
Researchers have loosely tied pornography exposure to risky behavior in teens, but more research still needs to be done. As of now, it’s difficult to define the true link, because many kids who are more likely to engage in unprotected sex and other dangerous behaviors may also be more inclined to look at pornography. It’s also difficult to study these things without putting kids in danger.
Teens need sexual gratification as much as adults do. Their hormones are raging, their bodies are changing and learning about sex is an important part of developing the necessary skills to have a healthy relationship later in life. The trouble is, much of the porn in existence today doesn’t teach about healthy, loving relationships. Much of it is violent, degrading to women or even flat-out weird.
Screwy Ideas About Intimate Relationships
Porn has the potential to lead teens to have unrealistic expectations, not only about their sex lives, but about the appearance of the opposite sex. Most real-life people don’t look or act like porn stars, and after receiving a lot of sexual gratification from porn, some might have a difficult time finding that same level of satisfaction in their relationships.
In the Netherlands, researchers have done studies that appear to confirm this. However, the effect isn’t strong enough to be identified as a sure thing. The studies have shown that teens with more sexual experience don’t seem to suffer from dissatisfaction as a result of porn exposure. The culture in the Netherlands is also much more relaxed about sex, so children in America may experience things differently.
As a parent, it’s up to you to decide your stance on porn. It may be a tough topic to bring up, but educating your teens is important. Talk about how crucial it is to be careful online. Sometimes things can be seen than cannot be unseen. Also, discuss the importance of respecting the opposite sex and making sure to be responsible when it comes to sexual interaction. You probably can’t stop your teens from ever being exposed to porn, but you can provide a healthy explanation of sex and romance.
