By Dina Alexander, MS
The porn industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that has a long, cruel history of exploiting vulnerable individuals, including children and teenagers. With the proliferation of the internet, accessing pornographic content has become easier than ever before, and as a result, the industry has been able to target young people on an unprecedented scale.
What to Look For
One of the most successful ways that the porn industry targets kids and teenagers is through the use of social media platforms. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are incredibly popular among young people, and pornographers have taken advantage of this by creating profiles that are designed to appeal to teens. These profiles usually feature very explicit, sexualized images and videos, and they often include links to pornographic websites or other content.
Another subtle, yet dangerous way the porn industry targets young people is through seamlessly weaving itself into popular culture. Many mainstream movies, TV shows, and music videos feature sexualized content or discuss pornography in an “everybody is doing it” sort of way. This continues to normalize the consumption of pornographic material among teens. Additionally, some pornographers have even created parodies of popular children’s cartoons, which can be easily found by simple searches having to do with one’s favorite Disney or other popular cartoon character.
What This Does to Kids
The porn industry targets young people by exploiting their natural curiosity about sex. Most kids are curious about sex and may turn to pornography to learn more about it. However, the pornographic content that they find is distorted, unrealistic, misogynistic, racist and completely devoid of intimacy. Not only does this give kids and teens a skewed understanding of sex and relationships, it teaches them that sex is a selfish act where one’s own pleasure is more important than anything else including the dignity and worth of any partner.
The effects of pornography on young people can be devastating. Studies have shown that exposure to pornography can lead to a range of negative outcomes, including increased aggression toward women, decreased empathy, and distorted attitudes toward sex and relationships. Additionally, young people who consume pornographic material are at increased risk of developing addictive behaviors, which can have serious long-term consequences.
What You Can Do
Given the risks associated with pornography consumption among young people, it is critical that parents and caregivers take steps to protect their children. One of the most important things that parents can do is to talk to their children about sex and relationships in an age-appropriate manner. This can help to demystify sex and give children the tools that they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health. (Our 30 Days of Sex Talks books make it EASY to start and continue these discussions.)
Additionally, parents should be vigilant about monitoring their children’s online activities. This may include setting parental controls on devices, monitoring social media profiles, and talking to children about the dangers of interacting with strangers online.
Schools and other community organizations can also play an important role in protecting young people from the harmful effects of pornography. Educators can provide young people with accurate information about sex and relationships, while also teaching them critical thinking skills that can help them to evaluate the information that they find online. Additionally, community organizations can work to create safe spaces where young people can learn about healthy relationships and sexuality without being exposed to pornographic content.
The porn industry, like other industries, is determined to make money by any means necessary. Because they have found so much success by hooking kids when they are young, they continue to actively target young people. This represents a serious threat to their physical and emotional well-being. It is so important that parents, educators, and other caring community members take steps to protect children and teens from exposure to pornographic content, while also providing them with the tools and information that they need to make healthy decisions about their sexual health.
Right now, there are eight states working to pass laws that would require device makers to turn on content filters by default. When we see opportunities like these, to support lawmakers in protecting children, we need to take action, email or call these legislators (even if you don’t live in their state). By working together, we can help to create a world where young people are safer from the harmful effects of pornography.
Ready to talk about the dangers of online pornography with your kids? Check out our lesson, Teach Your Child to R.U.N. from Pornography. Or try our books How to Talk to Your Kids About Pornography and Conversations with My Kids: 30 Essential Family Discussions for the Digital Age. Available here on our website or on Amazon.
