Online Pornography

pornography

 

It’s important to have a conversation with your children at an early age as many are inadvertently viewing online pornography through their electronic devices. Online pornography refers to sexually explicit videos, images and other material that can be easily accessed through the internet. While it may seem harmless, exposure to online pornography can have serious and long-lasting effects on the development of children. It is therefore important to have parental controls in place. Talking to your child about what it is and what it means, will help them understand the potential consequences of viewing this type of material. By having an open and honest conversation, you can help your child navigate the online world in a safe and responsible way.

1

Explain online pornography

Give a clear definition and explain what types of material fall into this category.

2

Discuss this at an early age

As it is the number one sex educator for children, having a discussion at early age will help them understand the unrealistic nature of online pornography.

3

Parental controls

Ensure to implement parental controls to prevent children from viewing online pornography inadvertently.

4

The impact on healthy relationships

Talk about how online pornography can negatively impact their understanding of healthy relationships and sexual behaviour.

5

Unrealistic expectations

Explain that online pornography often portrays an unrealistic and unhealthy portrayal of sexual relationships and bodies.

 

6

Potential dangers

Discuss the potential risks, such as encountering harmful or illegal material, or encountering people with bad intentions.

7

Viewing illegal material

Discuss what the legal consequences are for accessing illegal pornographic material, especially for minors.

8

Impact on mental health

Explain how exposure to online pornography can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, or anxiety.

9

Open and honest

Let your child know that they can always come to you with any questions or concerns they may have.

10

Values and beliefs

Discuss your family’s values and beliefs regarding sexuality and relationships, and how these may be impacted by online pornography.