Sarika tells us what we should do if we catch our children watching pornography on the Internet. A Different Truths exclusive.

It was nine in the morning. She called me. She was sad. She said that she caught her 12-year-old son watching pornography for the third time. I know as a parent it is quite uncomfortable and scary. Because you never know what’s going on in the child’s mind. And it is also important what is his age. According to Forbes magazine, the average age a child first views internet porn is 11 years. It’s shocking, right?

According to Forbes magazine, the average age a child first views internet porn is 11 years. It’s shocking, right?

I consoled her, “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. This is the time when they are growing, and they want to know everything around them. This phase will also pass.”

In a recent study, posted by Shared Hope International, 42% of internet users in the age group of 10-17 years, admit to viewing online pornography. Before getting too concerned, consider that 66% of these children report they viewed this material accidentally, while attempting to access age-appropriate programs. This begs the conversation to parents and caregivers: how do we protect our children and if they do view pornography, how do we respond?

In a recent study, posted by Shared Hope International, 42% of internet users in the age group of 10-17 years, admit to viewing online pornography.

The education system should include sex education and Internet safety. Here are some things to consider:

We should also assure if by mistake they came across any inappropriate site they can ignore it.

• Age of the child: Children under the age of 12-13 must be supervised, while surfing the Internet. We should also assure if by mistake they came across any inappropriate site they can ignore it. There is nothing wrong if anything happens by mistake. 

…we should converse with our teenage children about the risks of accessing pornography, which will ease their life.

Parental response: We, parents, at times wonder if our child will be traumatised from the exposure. However, while prolonged exposure to pornography can create harm for them, the best option is to address the behaviour in an age-appropriate manner. Being a parent, we should converse with our teenage children about the risks of accessing pornography, which will ease their life. At this time, counselling in school should also go hand in hand.

Real risk arises when boys and girls assume what they are watching is the real representation of sexual behaviour.

• Address risks: Real risk arises when boys and girls assume what they are watching is the real representation of sexual behaviour. Being a parent, we should take a strong stand and make them understand that whatever sexual acts they watched are not real.

Every child imitates their parents. We must model positive behaviour to them

• Be friendly: We should be always friendly with our cubs. Every child imitates their parents. We must model positive behaviour to them, like kindness, cooperation, etc. These traits are very important to pass our next generation.Sherrie Campbell rightly said, seven things every child needs to hear: I love you, I’m proud of you, I’m sorry, I forgive you, I’m listening. This is your responsibility. You have what it takes to succeed.

• Preventive measures: At the same time, we must take a preventive measure like locking iPad, smartphones, and install parental control.

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• Trust children: And above all, we should trust them, and we should have patience to listen to their side of the story too without being judgemental.

Every problem has a solution. Every challenge is a growth of success! 

©Sarika Sarkar Das

Photos from the Internet