Protecting Those You Love From the Power of Pornography
February 15, 2023 | Collin Hall, SRAS
por·nog·ra·phy
/pôrˈnäɡrəfē/
noun
printed or visual material containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activity, intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings.
"She warned that access to hardcore pornography was shaping children's expectations of relationships"
The effects that pornography is having on our society are astronomical. Before, it was considered a taboo subject. Nowadays, it has made its way to the forefront of media, business industries, and even the casual conversations amongst teenagers. For many teen boys, it seems to come across as comedic relief, which may be due to an increasing amount of unguarded visual electronics with internet access, as well as the laxed position many social media outlets are beginning to take regarding explicit content.
There is an overwhelming number of studies that show the risks of consuming pornographic material. Here are just a few alarming numbers and statistics:
56% of divorces within a study said it involved one party having “an obsessive interest in pornographic websites.”1
35% of all internet downloads are related to pornography.2
34% of internet users have experienced unwanted exposure to pornographic content through ads, pop up ads, misdirected links or emails.3
Clear links between pornography and teens are seen, such as teen pregnancy, hindrance of sexual development (struggles controlling sexual urges during a crucial developmental age), a rise in depression, and distorted expectations of romantic relationships. According to Patrick F. Fagan, Ph.D, psychologist and former Deputy Assistant Health and Human Services Secretary, “...two recent reports, one by the American Psychological Association on hyper-sexualized girls, and the other by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy on the pornographic content of phone texting among teenagers, make clear that the digital revolution is being used by younger and younger children to dismantle the barriers that channel sexuality into family life."4
If pornography is causing such damage, how do we protect our children and ourselves from falling victim to the grip it has on society? It all starts with the boundaries we set and the resources we use to do so. We teach every student that it is a very healthy idea and skill to set boundaries within relationships with people as well as our relationships with media and technology.
Here are a few practical ways to protect not only your child but also yourself from sexually-explicit material.
1. Get techy: Depending on what your internet providing solution is, you may go directly to the internet router and change settings to block explicit content before it can even be seen. Also, there are several applications that make blocking pornography from our smart devices an easy task. These can be a life saver for you and for your family. Here are a few I recommend:
bark.us, covenanteyes.com, canopy.us, blockerx.net, and the Blockade app.
2. Find accountability: Opening yourself up to your child as a source of accountability can really help them in fighting the fight against pornography. Many children feel ashamed and distance themself from getting help. We believe parents are the first line of defense when protecting children against this sort of content. Being open and honest about these sorts of things can help protect your children from being chained down by the effects of pornography. Accountability as an adult is also something that proves beneficial in this battle. Whether it be a spouse, friend, or counselor, having someone to confide in about a struggle with pornography can lead to freedom.
Putting these things into place may be a daunting task – maybe even a little embarrassing – but they may prove valuable in protecting your loved ones and yourself from the dire impact that pornography can have on our lives.
References
[1] https://www.covenanteyes.com/pornstats/
[2] https://www.webroot.com/us/en/resources/tips-articles/internet-pornography-by-the-numbers