Children who watch pornography: how does it affect them?

Children who consume pornography are likely to have their neurological development and sexual functioning hindered. This is an obvious and also neglected reality. We are that society concerned about the fact that our children see violent content in series or movies. However, we do not hesitate to give them access to mobile phones from an early age.

Currently, There are many children of 7, 8 or 10 years old who have access to pornography on-line. This content is free, anonymous and affordable. There is no need to pay or prove that you are of legal age. It is a window to look out of anywhere: at home, at school, on the bus, with friends or alone.

Pornography on-line It is completely distorting aspects related to gender, equality and sexuality. Almost without knowing how, we are seeing how pre-adolescents demonstrate hypersexual behaviors that are not in accordance with their physical and socio-emotional development. They constantly fantasize about sex and create violent and degrading representations of it in their minds.

This reality presents a problem that goes beyond mere moral aspects. We are talking about a question of social well-being and mental health. Practices that perpetuate sexism and violence against women are being normalized and that also bias childhood early, leading it towards problematic behaviors. We analyze it.

What are its consequences?

Save The Children establishes the average age at which children start watching pornography at 8 years old on-line. That first contact is made out of curiosity, chance or pressure from their peers in schools. Either way, what they experience is almost always a mix of confusion that may leave them shocked at first, but also intrigued enough to continue watching.

Research works such as those carried out at the University of New Hampshire highlight that Many children suffer from unwanted exposure to pornographic images while using the Internet.. That first purely casual meeting (and in the absence of a software filtering and parental blocking) can encourage later curiosity.

Many parents either underestimate this reality or are not aware of the searches or pages their children do on their electronic devices. This causes them to sometimes be surprised by their sudden change in behavior and personality. We analyze it.

1. Learning by imitation: when pornography replaces sexual education

Modeling and social learning theory reminds us that children learn by imitation. Their mirror neurons are much more sensitive at young ages, and everything they observe has an impact on them. This is highly problematic when we talk about pornography. on-line.

Online sexual content completely replaces the education they may receive from their parents or in schools. The image always has greater power and another aspect is added to it. Children who watch pornography assume that what they see is real and that these violent behaviors are those that are common (and expected) in a sexual relationship.

2. Early and problematic sexual behaviors

Pornography at an early age awakens sexual curiosity and self-exploration. This It causes them to start prematurely in a stage that does not yet belong to them due to age and socio-emotional development. They lose their childhood and may show hypersexuality that is very counterproductive to their mental health.

An 8-year-old child should not start constantly fantasizing about sex. This early awakening to sexuality will gradually condition your relationships and behavior.

3. Promotes violent behavior towards women

Children who watch pornography internalize a biased view of sex. We cannot ignore the fact that much of this content is sexist, degrading and hostile towards women, who become little more than a mere object of sexual satisfaction.

The porn on-line perpetuates and intensifies gender stereotypes and patterns of inequality in relationships. It’s more, The girls and adolescents themselves come to assume that what they see in these media is what is expected of them.. Which exposes them to early experiences with sex that can be very traumatic.

For example, it is common for this type of content to normalize insults, beatings or suffocation towards women in order to exert clear domination over them.

4. Unsafe and unsatisfactory sexual practices in adulthood

Let’s think that the pornography industry perpetuates a type of violent sexuality and lack of intimacy or emotional connection. Likewise, high-risk sexual practices are carried out. Early exposure to these images It ends up normalizing everything from rape culture to sex without condoms.

On the other hand, it is very common for children who watch pornography to reach adulthood without enjoying a full and satisfying sexual life. Many experience everything from anxiety to fear. and they fear not being up to par with what they see on those pages.

5. It can lead to addiction

Children who view pornography, like adolescents, can develop compulsive sexual behaviors. Addiction to these contents is a risk at all levels, affecting their social functioning and psychological health. And let’s keep it in mind, few things are sadder than losing childhood, burning through stages and losing the opportunity to have a healthier vision of sex and sexuality.

It is imperative that we become aware of this fact. We are leaving our children’s education in the hands of the internet. In this unfathomable universe there are no limits or legislation. As adults, as parents and educators, it is urgent that we be sensitive to this very serious fact.

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