Parents are the greatest resource we have in protecting children against pornography. Unfortunately, though, many parents are misinformed or just naive about the threat porn poses to their kids. In order to educate and defend the rising generation against the plague of pornography, these are the three realizations every parent needs to have.
1) The “dirty old man” stereotype is inaccurate
When we picture a person who views pornography, we picture a middle aged or older man with no family and maybe a mustache. Statistics show this image is inaccurate. A recent study conducted by Barna singled out young adults (aged 18-24 years) as the age group most likely to seek out pornography. Another study conducted by internet safety group Enough is Enough found that teens had the largest group of viewers of porn. Either way, the people who watch porn are younger, not older.
2) Kids are seeing porn younger than you think
Many studies cite 11 years old as the average age of initial exposure to pornography. Focus on the Family claims the average is now 8 years old! Clearly, if parents are waiting until high school or even middle school to warn their kids about pornography, they are waiting too long.
3) Keeping silent about porn won’t make it go away
Some parents worry that talking to their kids about porn will incite curiosity and inspire them to go looking for it. Other parents keep quiet out of embarassment or because they feel at a loss for words. Unfortunately, these kids learn about pornography from other sources instead. Miseducation and natural curiosity send them looking for porn on their own, and the parents who play ostrich with heads in the sand leave these kids completely vulnerable. Talking to your kids about pornography is the most effective tool you have to protect your children. Embarassment and denial will not make up for failure to act!
Parents, you are the best advocates your children have. While your children hopefully have wise mentors outside your immediate family, you are the ones with the most influence and the greatest potential for awareness of and involvement in your children’s lives. It is never too early to teach your children to be safe online and to shun internet pornography!
