Study Links Early Sexual Activity to Pornography Use

Tue, Apr 29, 2008

Articles, Parenting

CitizenLink, Focus on the Familly
4-28-2008

Exposure to Internet pornography can lead teenagers to have sex at a younger age, according to a study published in the journal CyberPsychology and Behavior.Researchers found that 12- to 17-year-old boys who regularly viewed pornography became sexually active as much as four years earlier than their peers. Girls in that age group who viewed porn became sexually active slightly earlier than their peers. Researchers also found that these teens were more likely to initiate oral sex.

Daniel Weiss, media and sexuality analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said exposure to pornography is damaging at any age, but much more so for teens and young children.

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLBriefs/A000007258.cfm/

3 Responses to “Study Links Early Sexual Activity to Pornography Use”

  1. Amy King Says:

    This topic is one on my mind lately. My 5-year old son, who will be going to kindergarten in a few weeks, is just learning to read. We were at the grocery store checkout the other day, when he sounded out SEX and asked me what that meant. Are you kidding me? What I don’t understand is how there aren’t laws to keep magazines out such plain sight for children. They are really bordereing on pornographic and have awful headlines. Do you know of any organization that tries to fight against that? There aren’t very many safe places in the world, but shouldn’t a mom be able to take her young kids to the grocery store without being afraid they will see something crudei in the checkout?

    Thanks for your site, I love it!

  2. Amy King Says:

    I was in the checkout line at the grocery store recently, when my 5 year old son who is just learning to read, sounded out SEX and asked me what it meant. These magazines are pornographic in nature and only lead kids to more curious, not to mention their crude headlines. There aren’t many safe places to take kids these days, but shouldn’t a grocery store be one of them? Are there any organzations that you know that lobby against this type of thing?

  3. Joy Lundberg Says:

    Dear Amy,

    Thanks for your concern and for writing to us. Many people are finding it very helpful to go directly to the store managers and politely and firmly ask them to put such magazines behind the counter, or at least hide the cover. Have other mothers join you in this. There is power in mothers, even just a few, joining together. Let the store know that you will shop elsewhere if they don’t comply and that you will tell others to do the same. Let them know what you like about their store, but that you won’t be coming back unless they do as you ask. It’s too important for your child’s well being. Be strong!

    Below are a couple of organizations that may be helpful. I know that the Communities for Decency organized enough mothers to get the near naked poster out of the window of a Victoria Secrets store in a Provo Mall a few years ago.
    Good luck. Let us know how it all goes. We need more people like you! Thanks for writing. We’re glad you enjoy our site.

    Warmest regards,
    Joy

    About: Communities for Decency in Utah

    Our Vision:

    Communities for Decency has accomplished the following:

    * Sponsored and passed the Utah Library bill which requires
    filtering on all library computers.
    * Tightened local ordinances at city levels regarding decency laws.
    * Successfully asked for the removal of suggestive and provacative
    advertisements and billboards from several large companies.
    * Thanked and recognized many businesses for their family friendly
    standards.

    Link: http://www.communitiesfordecency.org/

    Contact Communities for Decency

    /The ongoing success of Communities for Decency will be measured by the interaction of the organization with its membership./

    Please feel free to contact us with your questions concerning action items; requests for membership information or presentations; or ideas regarding community issues.

    projects@communitiesfordecency.org

    Communities for Decency
    2250 No University Pkwy #4848
    Provo , UT 84604
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    Citizens for Decency, nationwide

    Link to Citizens for Decency: http://law.jrank.org/pages/5231/Citizens-Decency-through-Law.html