How Harmful Is Pornography for Children?
How Harmful is Pornography for Children? Pornography is printed or visual material containing explicit description or display of sexual activities. Exposure to explicit online content can cause children and young people to develop different sexual literacies. Pornography exists within a broader sociocultural context in which stereotypes about gender, sexism, sexual objectification and violence-supportive attitudes are also at play. Nearly half of the children between the ages of 9-16 experience regular exposure to sexual images. Young males are more likely than females to deliberately seek out pornography and to do so frequently. Pornography use can shape sexual practices and is associated with unsafe sexual health practices . It may strengthen attitudes supportive of sexual violence and violence against women. The best approach for parents, caregivers and teachers responding to children's exposure to pornography is to encourage open communication, discussion and critical t...