Daniel P. Huerta, a licensed clinical social worker and Vice President of Parenting and Youth at Focus on the Family, writes:

There’s no doubt, the porn industry wants your child. And statistics clearly show they’re succeeding. In a study spanning 1995 through 2015, researchers discovered extensive use of pornography by adolescents in the U.S. and other countries. Often initial exposure is unintentional when kids stumble upon pornographic imagery.

That data tracks with what I see in my private practice. Many kids addicted to pornography were initially exposed to it through a friend, lingerie and swimwear ads, sexting, chat rooms, fantasy novels or an accidental online click. Then the draw becomes powerful and they secretly and intentionally seek out more images and/or experiences. To them, it’s worth the shame and guilt they initially experience.

Tweens and teens are using porn at an alarming rate. The recent statistics should cause concern for every parent:

• 12- to 17-year-olds is the largest group of internet porn users.
• 90 % of boys and 70% of girls younger than 18 years admit to having seen pornography at least once.
• 32% of teens admit to intentionally seeking out pornographic content online.
• Pornography sites have more traffic than Netflix, Amazon and Twitter combined.
• Teen girls are more likely to seek out pornography than young women that are 25 years old or older.
• 64% of people aged 13-24 view pornography at least weekly.
• 49% of young people first viewed pornography before age 13.

These numbers delight the multi-billion-dollar pornography industry that generates more revenue than rock and country music, Broadway productions, theater, ballet, jazz and classical music combined. It also exceeds the total gross income of all three major networks—ABC, CBS and NBC.

Read More

Focus on the Family—Kids and Pornography

This is a series by Focus on the Family:

1. How Pornography Affects a Teen Brain

2. How Do You Respond to Your Child’s Suspected Porn Use?

3. How Porn Affects Your Child’s Future

4. Seven Strategies to Combat Teen Porn Use