Pornography
Many teens use pornography, even though the law generally prohibits minors from accessing it. This behaviour is not risk free, since pornography can convey misconceptions and can colour your teen’s sexual education. As a parent, there are a number of things you can do to help minimize the risks.
To remember
👉 Pornography consumption among teenagers can distort their perception of sexuality and lead to sexual difficulties, including addiction.
👉 Parents should openly discuss the risks of pornography with their young people and manage access to online content through parental control measures.
It is against the law for children under the age of 18 years old to view pornography. However, most teens view pornography, either alone or with their friends.
While you may think this activity is more common among boys, we are realizing that more and more girls also watch pornography. Moreover, teens often consider pornography to be their only available source of sexual education.
The Risks Associated with Watching Pornography
Adolescent pornographic viewing is not without its risks. A teen who learns about sex by watching pornography registers in their brain false information about sex that they think is true, which could lead to them experiencing sexual difficulties and performance anxiety.
For example, a teen who has a habit of watching pornography may find it difficult to become aroused by themselves or when they are with a partner. Moreover, in some more extreme cases, pornography viewing can be addictive.
How Can I Reduce the Risks?
As parents, we have several roles to play with our children when it comes to teaching them certain things about sex. For example, we can set limits, initiate discussions, encourage them to reflect on what they may see, and tell them about the repercussions of viewing pornography.
Managing Internet Use
As parents, we are not able to prevent our teens from accessing pornography because it is omnipresent. However, there are a few ways we can make it more difficult for them to access:
Use parental controls.
Don’t allow your child to use their devices in their bedroom with the door closed.
Don’t allow them to take their devices to their bedroom or the bathroom.
Make computers available only in spaces used by the whole family or when a parent is home.
Talk About Pornography with your Child
As parents, we can encourage communication about this topic with our children, by:
Talking openly about sex and values with them.
While it is normal for teens to be curious about viewing pornography, we can also talk to them about the risks associated with doing so, ask them what they think about it and ask them what messages they get from pornographic images (preconceived ideas, sexual roles, stereotypes, hairlessness, etc.).
We can also explain to them why there are rules in place at home such as parental controls on electronic devices.
