My oldest grandson turned 13 years old this week. He’s now officially a teenager. His chubby little cheeks and short stocky legs are gone. He’s growing up. Exciting times!
But, the enlarging worldwide epidemic of pornography makes it a scary time as well. Young men and, increasingly, young women are particularly vulnerable to its temptation. In fact, several recent reports are actually claiming that the largest group of internet porn consumers are our 12 to 17 year olds!
Recent statistics from around our globe, relating to teens and pre-teens, are sobering:
- It is commonly believed that the average age for first exposure to porn in the U.S. is age 11, but according to a survey of 19,000 parents, many kids begin viewing porn as early as age six (ABC News, May 15, 2013). It is estimated that one third of ten-year-olds have already been exposed to pornography online. (Daily Mail, August 31, 2012)
- The June 13, 2014 Business Standard reports that 40% of Canadian boys in grades 4-11 are viewing porn; 1/3 of them, every day.
- Earlier this year a survey in the UK showed that 50% of 11-14 year olds had viewed porn and four out of ten admitted it is affecting their relationships. (UK Daily Mail Online, January 19, 2014)
- The July 16, 2011 Christian Post reported that 80% of 15-17 years old have been exposed to hard core porn.
They may seem like they’re still “kids,” but our young teens that have gotten caught up in porn are already grappling with very adult issues and the very intense feelings of sinfulness and shame that often accompany them.
We have observed that the earlier someone gets involved with pornography, the more difficult it is to quit. If a child starts looking at porn at a very young age their emotional structure has not yet been very well established. They are still trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in this world so, as they grow up with porn as an integral component in their life, it becomes woven into the very fabric of their being. Without a solid foundation and sufficient life experiences to have provided them with other more helpful coping skills, porn is highly likely to become part of that child’s emotional survival arsenal.
We, as a society, need to wake up! If six year olds are stumbling onto porn and the largest group of internet porn consumers are ages 12 to 17, we need to be both talking about and blocking porn in our homes much earlier that we might have imagined.
If we try to pretend it isn’t happening or choose not to deal with it head on, we are putting our children in jeopardy.
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:10-23
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