Online Porn

May 29, 2020 | Cyber Parenting - Inappropriate Content

Why children watch porn online

It’s normal for young people to be curious about sex and relationships and sometimes they may search online for information or answers to questions they have. They may also do this if they’re worried or embarrassed about asking their parents or guardians.

Some of the reasons children and young people watch or search for porn online include:

  • to learn about sex and sexual identity
  • for sexual arousal and pleasure
  • curiosity
  • for “a laugh”
  • break the rules
  • to be disgusted
  • to “freak out” their friends
  • peer or relationship pressure.

Risks of children watching online porn

Children and young people watch porn or sexually explicit content are at greater risk of developing:

  • unrealistic attitudes about sex and consent
  • more negative attitudes about roles and identities in relationships
  • more casual attitudes about sex and sexual relationships and an increase in ‘risky’ sexual behaviour
  • unrealistic expectations of body image and performance.

Source: NSPCC

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