Teen Internet usage is considered normal and expected, both as a social network and an educational resource – yet experts warn about the serious dangers Internet pornography presents to teens, including the risk for aggression, pornographic involvement and addiction.
Part of the rapidly growing field of sexual addiction, addiction to pornography carries devastating personal, occupational and financial consequences for millions of adults, with six to eight percent of the population believed to be addicted. For teens, the consequences can be especially severe and many parents don’t know about their child’s Internet pornography usage until the problem has become even more escalated.
Clinicians at Utah’s Oxbow Academy, a residential treatment facility for teens with sexual addictions, say they have worked with young people who have participated in extreme sexual behaviors with no active dialogue with parents about appropriate and inappropriate sexual actions. They also say teen use of pornography can change the way women are viewed and make aggressive sexually behaviors appear to be normal.
The typical age at which young people begin viewing pornography online, say experts, is around 11 years and most often in a group setting in a home not their own. Access to the material, says Dr. Jerald Block, Oregon Health and Science University, is the turning point, with the Internet delivering images and sites to young people with no barriers.
When young teens begin to view Internet pornography, usage typically rises for a short period and then declines. For the majority of teens using the Internet, it’s a source for connecting with friends, exploring games or other types of similar content.
However, for some teens, the draw to Internet pornography is incredibly strong, and escalates to the point of taking over their thoughts and lives. Many times teens with social problems are the most vulnerable, because they may use pornography as a source of escape from negative feelings and experiences.
More severe images are needed to get the same feelings of pleasure as the addiction progresses, and as they struggle to manage the situation, behavior problems emerge as well as a greater tendency for substance abuse or depression. Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley say teens who experience problems with Internet usage are also likely to have problems when they’re not online.
Adding to the problem is the shame factor teens experience when considering talking about the problem with a parent or adult. Mental health professionals who specialize in teen pornography addictions say the problem is treatable, and must be addressed before it leads to further aggressive and devastating behaviors. Counseling, anti-depressant medications and even alternative treatments like equine therapy have all been used to help teens overcome pornography addictions.
Child psychologists also encourage parents to make sure their teen has a well-rounded life that involves a mixture of sports activities, school or community clubs and groups with other teens. They also say a private computer in a teen’s room should never be allowed, and that parental involvement is a key factor in lowering the likelihood that a teen will become involved or addicted to pornography.
