An unprecedented number of boys of just 11 and 12 years old are calling Australia’s only public phone counseling service for young people, asking for help. They’re worried they have already become addicted to pornography, reports Courier Mail.
The free and confidential support line’s counseling manager Tony FitzGerald said boys who were exposed to online pornography early in life also appeared to be more at risk of developing unhealthy and compulsive viewing habits.
Related: Is Porn Addiction Even A Real Thing?
“It is happening young—we are not talking about older teenagers here, we are talking about boys anywhere between 11 and 15,” FitzGerald said. “They are contacting us because they know that something is not right about their addiction to pornography. We’ve seen a disproportionate number of contacts from young males around this sort of thing… They also have concerns about the impact this (porn) might be having on their own relationships.”
Hugh Martin, who runs the organization Man Enough, which provides counseling for males who are struggling with pornography, said parents and schools needed to be more frank in their discussions with young children about the risks of being exposed to pornographic material online.
“We can’t be coy or squeamish about this,” Martin said. “I actually invite some adults to go and look at what’s out there so they know what they are talking about… If they’re embarrassed talking about it, it will make it a lot harder next time for the kid to talk with them.”
Related: Parents: If You Don’t Teach Your Kids About Sex, Porn Will
Martin said he believed age-appropriate references to pornography need to be front and center of lessons on sex so young people don’t grow up believing it is an accurate portrayal of healthy sexual relationships.
Is porn hijacking youth?
The most hardcore porn imaginable is quickly becoming the next generation’s first-ever exposure to anything sex-related. How could this not influence the way they view relationships and their own selves?
Research shows that young people are as likely to see online porn accidentally as they are to actively search for it. That means, with the amount of porn that’s online today, it is actually easier for a kid to stumble across it than for them to search for it on purpose. And for almost 2/3 of the children, this first exposure to porn happened right in their own home.
Another unsurprising finding goes to show the escalating nature of porn consumption. Children described how their feelings towards porn have changed over time. About 27% surveyed reported feeling ‘shocked’ the first time they viewed it, but follow up surveys revealed that just 8% remained shocked after the first time they watched it.
Related: World’s Largest Porn Site Launches “Sexual Wellness Center” For Sex Advice & Education
Citing this research, an incredibly in-depth survey by The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (click here to read the full report) shows the massive role that porn is playing in the development of young kids these days. What they’re learning is skewed perceptions of sex and harmful attitudes about their natural sexuality.
By being educated and raising awareness on these findings, we can hopefully spare this generation and the next from the many harms that are sure to come due to this pornification of our society.
Need help?
For those reading this who feel they are struggling with pornography, you are not alone. Check out Fortify, a science-based recovery platform dedicated to helping you find lasting freedom from pornography. Fortify now offers a free experience for both teens and adults. Connect with others, learn about your unwanted porn habit, and track your recovery journey. There is hope—sign up today.
Fight the New Drug may receive financial support from purchases made using affiliate links.