Approaching Your Teen About Pornography
A pornography addiction in a teen is a dangerous condition that should be addressed immediately. A teen who becomes dependent on pornography is more likely to experience depression, which can decrease their enjoyment of other things. By depressing themselves, they become more vulnerable to a variety of negative consequences, which include social isolation, poor grades, and depressed feelings. A teenager may be at risk for developing a severe pornography addiction if they are under the age of eight.
Parents can help their adolescent by communicating with them about their sexuality and how important it is to respect the boundaries of others. While some parents are wary of sharing personal information about their children, this is a positive step. While sharing information about their children is not always an option, parents should let them discuss pornography freely without shutting the lines of communication. Secrecy tends to expand sexual transgressions, and they are less likely to pass off as sensitive behavior.
When a teen begins to engage in pornography, it’s important to speak to them about it. It’s important to educate your child about the nature of pornography and encourage them to talk about it with their friends and family. If the teen is unwilling to open up, you should be proactive and seek help as soon as possible. There are a lot of resources available to parents and help teens who are struggling with a porn addiction.
Keeping the conversations open is another way to prevent a teen from turning to pornography. While the teen may be resistant to such conversations, he or she will have to confront the issue with honesty. The goal is to make them feel comfortable with sexuality and to help them become more responsible. By establishing the boundaries, parents can prevent a teen from turning into a pornographer. But talking to the teen about this topic is important for both the parent and the child.
Signs and Symptoms of Teen Pornography Addiction
Although it is very difficult to identify the signs of pornography addiction in a teen, there are some warning signs that may indicate a problem. A lot of teens are able to hide their addiction from others, and they don’t show any signs of distress. Many develop a form of denial, believing that the problem will go away once they reach adulthood. However, some teens may have to repeatedly try to stop viewing pornography on their own.
How can you tell if your teen has a serious problem or possible addiction to pornography? What are some of the warning signs? Here are 10 to look out for:
- Shows changes in behavior, mood, or sleep
- Spending increasing amounts of time online (viewing pornography)
- Isolates him—or herself from family or friends
- Shows declining academic or work performance
- Seeks time online (viewing pornography) when feeling stressed, anxious, or angry
- Becomes angry or irritable when cannot access the Internet
- Confronted about viewing pornography and continues the behavior despite attempts to stop or despite being punished for it
- Has participated in sexually related chats
- Posts or views sexual photos or information on Facebook or other social media
- Has a file filled with sexualized photos on his or her computer
A child who is addicted to pornography may show depressive symptoms and mood swings, and may spend a lot of time on the computer. They may even deny that they are viewing pornography, but it is very easy to spot. They might also spend long hours alone in the bathroom or shower, and they might even be secretive and shy. They may also write about sexual themes or use sexually explicit language in writing or speaking.
While there aren’t any definitive signs of pornography addiction in teens, it is still possible to recognize the signs of pornography addiction. One of these is a lack of self-control when it comes to sexual urges. Fortunately, it is quite possible to stop your teen from developing a pornography addiction if he or she learns to control his or her urges. Then, the teen can get help to overcome his or her problem.
Pornography Addiction Prevention
While there are ways to prevent a teen from watching pornography, the best way to stop a teen from becoming obsessed with pornography is to set a clear boundary for them. This means ensuring they don’t take their electronics with them to bed or let them use them in public. Ensure that their friends’ homes are free of any technology that might be harmful for them. They should also make sure they do not use them in a private place.
The first step to curb the teen’s pornography addiction is to talk to them. This can be awkward, but it is important for parents to understand that pornography sends out unhealthy messages. That’s why it is important to counter those messages. While a parent might be embarrassed to talk about this issue, it is important to do so. It is vital that a parent engages in conversations with their teen to prevent a teen from becoming addicted to pornography.
Is your teen addicted to porn? Contact us today and get them the help they need.