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Any educator will tell you, “a picture is worth a thousand words”, imagine streaming hardcore video?! The images which are presented by porn sites are designed to market porn… although a trillion dollar industry they scream FREE! The price our young people pay is more often than not, addiction. The sexual images our teens view release chemicals in the brain (endorphins), our body eventually craves these feel good chemicals like alcohol or drugs--- serious problem though, the alcoholic can avoid the bars and situations… how do you avoid the images that pop into your head when you’re trying to study? When you see a new face at a party? You don’t, that’s why Internet Porn has been compared to crack cocaine– but worse!
We have had many reports of teens whose first encounter was accidental, but that was just the beginning; they found themselves going back for more, basically feeding an appetite for this type of visual stimulation. It was revealed that as one type of porn became old, a new search had to be done to satisfy the need for the (feel good) release going on in the brain; these youth claimed that they began to search out porn topics that “if not for the addiction” they would never have been drawn to. With an unending sampling of every possible sexual variant imaginable, only a click away! Without help, these youth will continue to get lost in the ugly world of porn.
Curiosity has killed many a cat, internet porn does the same for many a youths self esteem. The role models they see and hear and fantasize about are bigger than life… making them feel small and inadequate. The searches are becoming more perverse by even their own standards (they don’t know why). If after having discovered traces of porn on the computer, a parent reacts with threats, anger and attacks on their child’s character, they will only end up isolating them more, confirming their feelings of low self esteem, and making them even more rebellious. Porn 101 on the home page will help you with your crucial role as parent—it’ never too late.
Internet porn is not a romance novel. It is not a sex education for beginners. In its simplest form it teaches a complete lack of intimacy—using another human being to masturbate oneself, and most often degrading the other. In its worst forms it is violent and explores every kind of distorted sexual act—including child pornography. As an adult you know the effects your childhood influences have had on your life and relationships—we owe it to our kids to get involved.
When viewing porn on the internet starts becoming an addiction, the viewer becomes obsessed with making/stealing time for this activity. He/she will turn down healthy invitations to social activities, preferring time with the computer, will find excuses to be home alone or locked in their room, etc. The dangers are obvious and the long term effects can be damaging; building an alternative world where fantasy rules. It is important to talk to your kids about porn on the internet and it’s dangers. For help on how to start a discussion and positive communications click on our “Talking Points” section.
For years there has been a concern over the blemish free models in magazines with “perfect bodies”, and the effects on the self image of our youth. Now take off the clothes, add video effects, loops, enhancements—what do you have? You have a new scale to measure yourself against as a young man or woman, thus researchers and clinicians see a link between internet porn and addiction, misogyny, pedophilia, breast implants and erectile dysfunction.
Don Juan, move over—there is a new role model for young good looking guys—the predator! There is a generation of young men who think that sex is a game. They are the hunter and any girl is the hunted, the concept of relationship does not even cross their mind. They emulate the role models they see on porn sites, and strive to be like them. They will often convince their partner/prey to be video taped or will tape without the others knowledge. This type of behavior and attitude toward sex is harmful for both the hunter and the hunted. Please use our resources and your own ingenuity to convey proper attitudes to your young person about sex and love.
It's never been truer
" It takes a village to raise a child"