Our partner in digital citizenship, Common Sense Media, has forwarded some important information about a topic that is sometimes difficult to address. This information about teens and pornography can help start the conversation about this difficult topic, and give you tools to use to tackle this tricky conversation:From Common Sense Media:
Engaging with pornography has been a common experience in many teens' exploration of sex, but since the early days of the internet, their access to the digital world has stoked concerns from parents. Some worry that kids will stumble across pornography when they're too young to understand it, and others are concerned that older teens' exposure to pornography will influence unrealistic or even dangerous representations of what healthy sexual relationships look like.
You may have read about our new report, "Teens and Pornography," in the New York Times or seen it on CNN . This survey of a demographically representative sample of teens in the United States confirms that the majority of teen respondents age 13–17 have watched pornography online—and some have seen it by age 10. And while some have discovered it accidentally, a significant number of teens said they were viewing online pornography intentionally on a regular basis.
This research confirms a very important point: It's time for all of us to talk about pornography. Kids are finding ways to access it—and it can shape how they understand sex, sexuality, and relationships. And while it can be awkward, we need to consider conversations with teens about pornography the same way we think of conversations about sex, social media, drug and alcohol use, and more.
The good news is that what we have to say about it matters: While under half of the teens in our research reported they've had conversations with their parents or a trusted adult about pornography, those who did said these talks encouraged them to find other ways to explore sex and sexuality. We have an opportunity, at home and in school, to help kids use a critical lens when exposed to all forms of media, and to develop healthier attitudes about sex than what pornography provides.
At Common Sense Media, we're here to support parents and caregivers as they tackle what's bound to be a tricky conversation. We've worked with experts to develop tips and scripts for both young kids and older teens. And we're also providing guidance to safeguard browsers and devices to help keep pornography out of the hands of those too young to engage with it.
Through resources like these, alongside our advocacy efforts, we're working to ensure kids have the chance to grow, experiment, and explore safely in a digital world.
You may have read about our new report, "Teens and Pornography," in the New York Times or seen it on CNN . This survey of a demographically representative sample of teens in the United States confirms that the majority of teen respondents age 13–17 have watched pornography online—and some have seen it by age 10. And while some have discovered it accidentally, a significant number of teens said they were viewing online pornography intentionally on a regular basis.
This research confirms a very important point: It's time for all of us to talk about pornography. Kids are finding ways to access it—and it can shape how they understand sex, sexuality, and relationships. And while it can be awkward, we need to consider conversations with teens about pornography the same way we think of conversations about sex, social media, drug and alcohol use, and more.
The good news is that what we have to say about it matters: While under half of the teens in our research reported they've had conversations with their parents or a trusted adult about pornography, those who did said these talks encouraged them to find other ways to explore sex and sexuality. We have an opportunity, at home and in school, to help kids use a critical lens when exposed to all forms of media, and to develop healthier attitudes about sex than what pornography provides.
At Common Sense Media, we're here to support parents and caregivers as they tackle what's bound to be a tricky conversation. We've worked with experts to develop tips and scripts for both young kids and older teens. And we're also providing guidance to safeguard browsers and devices to help keep pornography out of the hands of those too young to engage with it.
Through resources like these, alongside our advocacy efforts, we're working to ensure kids have the chance to grow, experiment, and explore safely in a digital world.