Some Truths About Teen Pornography

According to Google Analytics, pornography searches increase by 4,700% when kids are using the internet in the hours after school ends.

Like it or not, teens are using their devices to access pornography on a regular basis in today's technology driven society. Where previous generations were cautious of a stolen Playboy magazine, current parents are looking for guidance on how to shield their teens from the ever available, internet pornography.

The average child is now accessing pornography at the age of 11.

ONLY 3% OF TEENAGE BOYS AND 17% OF GIRLS HAVE NEVER SEEN ONLINE PORNOGRAPHY

If this sounds like a shockingly low number, consider the amount of hours teenagers spend on screens for entertainment, 9 hours a day according to a report from Common Sense Media. 

The rate of addiction to pornography has grown significantly since the introduction of the internet and the vast amounts of available material. The population at the highest risk for addiction? Teenage boys ages 12-17.

A study conducted by JAMA Psychiatry looked at the connection between compulsive viewing of online pornography and brain changes. Their results indicated alarming similarities between individuals who view online pornography for hours each week and individuals addicted to drugs or alcohol.

This same study suggests these individuals will develop stronger tolerance to the material and may also have difficulty controlling impulses

Mothers and fathers of teens: I have one question--Is there a way that your child is one of these problems?  Most parents don't really know; their teens are fiercely guarding their "privacy."  In many cases, it's privacy to sin.

I have a harder question:  If both you and your spouse are working in the same daytime period, is it worth sacrificing what this might be doing to your child to obtain extra money, to buy "toys" (bigger house, nicer car) you love and covet?   What I'm saying is, one of you  needs to quit the job to guide the teen away from sin, to let the child know you care, you want your child to live a Scriptural life, and are willing to enforce boundaries despite sacrifices for the "good life."  The teen will pick up on this moral courage and sacrifice.   

Let's face it:  Teens lie.  In America today, they live for their impulses.  I'm saying, after you quit, when you're around at home, let your movements be unpredictable--and don't be afraid to snoop.  If your teenager wants you to cite a specific time of your return, he or she may have something in mind. Don't provide them with that information.  

Then there's the possibility of teens having sex while both parents are at work.  I suspect this is happening a lot, looking at the spiraling statistics of people living together before marriage.  Teens (and parents, sometimes) don't care a whit about what the Bible says about sex with anyone outside marriage.  It's speaking of hell for those who violate this commandment  GalatIans 5:19-21 is blunt: 
 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
  
So fornication, which is so widespread in TV and movies, ranks up there with murder and idolatry.  Think about that. 

Now if your teen has a conscience (or if they haven't enjoyed losing their virginity),  they may repent, momentarily, but for most it is repentance light, since most don't take serious-enough steps to stop their growing addiction to sex or pornography. (By the way, assuming that "relief" by watching porn will decrease the desire for sex has been proven wrong by lots of studies.)  So they are still in hell-trouble unless they can discipline their lives to Biblical rules.  Jesus said thinking about a woman for adultery is adultery in the heart (Matthew 5:28).  And if you think that evil thought but not action gets you scot-free, what about Jesus' comments that to hate someone--and you haven't done anything to them--can send you to hell, too?  Try I John 2:9:

He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 

"In darkness" can only be interpreted as bound for hell, unless there is sincere repentance.

Parents, beware!  You are responsible for your children.  If one of you is afraid of quitting that job, for worldly pleasures and things, don't be surprised if the teen can catch the drift and take on the ways of the world as well. Scripture says, those who love the world cannot go to heaven I John 2:15:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 

IF you believe Scripture is really God's Word to mankind regardless of cultural shifts and rationales, then you will make necessary sacrifices to keep your kids off these paths that lead to hell.  
Remember, you're not there to be their friends. Be afraid of God, who will judge you for making decisions (or not making decisions) that harm your child's spirit.