Teens with Porn Addiction Say Online Porn Viewing Begins Early
By age eight, studies indicate more and more children are exposed to pornography online. By age eleven, research indicates many children have already viewed pornography regularly on the Internet, and experts fear the widespread availability of online pornography could also be leading to pornography addictions for teenagers – with no distinction toward a teen’s family life, school success or future plans.
Media stories are circulating about teens addicted to porn, including "honor roll" students and high school athletes. Due to the availability of online pornography, and the potential to view it in secret, some teens’ pornography addictions can go on for years – leading to depression, serious relationship problems and the chance for STDs or sexual addiction, along with decreased chances for success at school and during their adult years. Researchers also speculate that pornography addiction can prompt some people to turn to alcohol or substance abuse as a way of numbing out from the feelings of guilt and shame.
For many teens living with pornography addiction, an early viewing of sexual content online – as early as age 8, says a recent study from the University of New Hampshire – can be linked to the start of the addiction. Because pornography impacts the brain’s pleasure centers, and causes a change to the way the brain craves and processes pleasure signals, teens whose brains are not yet fully developed may be at risk for even more significant addictions and problems throughout their lives.
Teens with pornography addictions display similar symptoms as adults, including missing social functions or school and work to view the materials. As the addiction progresses, the user may view more bizarre or intense forms of the material, becoming desensitized to it and seeking more to get the same sense of release or escape. Most say it’s a way of creating a "numb" feeling, similar to drugs or alcohol addictions. People with pornography addictions are unable to resist the cravings and urges to view the material, even when the consequences are dire – and professional help is needed to work through the powerful addiction.
Because teens spend a great deal of time up late after the family has gone to sleep, many may remain in the pornography addiction for months or years with no one finding out. Reports indicate teens know how to erase or delete their browsing history, further keeping the problem hidden. They may also be at risk of entering a relationship online with a sexual predator, who may then try to arrange an in-person meeting.
Parents should watch for signs that a teen is spending excessive amounts of time online, avoiding normal activities, showing shifts in mood or poor school performance. Males have a greater likelihood of developing the addiction, but teen girls are becoming more exposed and addicted to the materials as well. Many don’t realize pornography can lead to serious addiction, and are afraid to ask for help – so parents are urged to be vigilant if they suspect a pornography addiction is present, and to seek professional help for their teen before the addiction escalates even further.