How young is too young for porn

There is a lot of discussion about the possible effects of online pornography on children and young people and the messages pornography generates about gender, equality and sexuality. Pornography exists within a broader sociocultural context in which stereotypes about gender, sexism, sexual objectification and violence-supportive attitudes are also at play. Nearly half of children between the ages of experience regular exposure to sexual images. Young males are more likely than females to deliberately seek out pornography and to do so frequently.

In the past, individuals suffering from porn addiction nearly always reported a history of trauma. That is, the porn-addicted client stumbled onto porn at some point and found that it soothed anxiety and other emotional problems caused by early physical or emotional abuse. Instead, they describe an addictive process sparked by early, repetitive involvement with porn. This apparent evolution in the way that people are becoming addicted to porn has implications for teens and their parents because a surprising number of kids are viewing porn online and the age of first exposure to porn is notching downward. To be sure, the kids who are looking at porn are getting an eyeful.

Many parents agree - children require guidance on the topic of pornography. Philosophically, most assert that it should happen within the home first. Parents provide a moral context for formal education about sexual health, relationships, drugs, alcohol, and other risk-related behaviors.

Pornography has seeped its way into our society, and has affected the lives of countless children. My own story related to pornography may help illustrate why these conversations are needed early. I was close to 7 years old and decided to explore the vacant lot next to the trailer in which my family lived. I walked into an open shed to see what was inside and found something unexpected, a magazine replete with images of adults exposing themselves. My parents likely never anticipated I would stumble across anything pornographic at that age.