Students ‘crash’ computers to tackle internet porn risks

So what’s the best way to educate kids about the risks of porn addiction? How can parents and teachers give kids practical advice about porn, without restricting the development of their natural sexual awareness?

I’m asked about this a lot, especially by parents who have experienced the porn addiction problem in their own relationships, and worry about the potential impact on their kids. In my view, there are certainly some not-so-great approaches and I’ve blogged about these before. This can be a delicate issue for parents; well-intentioned attempts at filtering internet access can so easily send an anti-sex message, which could potentially impair a child more than viewing porn, or create a ‘porn bugbear’ that increases a child’s fixation rather than addresses it.

Why not take a cue from a Salt Lake junior high school that was in the news this week?

Now I’m not suggesting that you hurl the family computer off the roof, with your little angels lined up and clapping on the front lawn. What I do like about this report is the positive, engaging message generated by this school’s campaign:

Both Smock and Patch [school principals] agree communication is the key to stopping pornography addiction before it starts. “Talk to your children. Make sure there’s open communication, and make sure they don’t feel like it’s something secret,” Patch said.

Exactly.

Related posts:

1. Advice website promotes porn to teens?
2. Pornography addiction and relationship risks – a true story