A new study from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s ChildLine claims that one in ten 12 to 13-year-olds fear they are addicted to pornography. The research also claimed the 12 percent of the children polled admitted to taking part in making or being in a sexually explicit video.
Christian Today reports the statistics were based off of a poll of 700 12 and 13-year-olds.
Dame Esther Rantzen, founder of ChildLine said, "Young people are turning to the internet to learn about sex and relationships. We know that are frequently stumbling across porn, often unintentionally, and they are telling us very clearly that this is having a damaging and upsetting effect on them.”
Rantzen continued that girls reported they felt that they should dress and behave like female porn stars to be noticed by boys.
''We absolutely have to talk to young people about sex, love, respect and consent as soon as we feel they are ready, to ensure that they gain a proper perspective between real life relationships and the fantasy world of porn,” Rantzen said.
ChildLine director Peter Liver said that one in five children polled believed that viewing pornography was a normal activity, but the children are being negatively affected by the images.
"They tell ChildLine that watching porn is making them feel depressed, giving them body image issues, and making them feel pressured to engage in sexual acts they're not ready for… Across society, we need to remove the embarrassment and shame that exists around talking about porn,” Liver said.
Publication date: April 1, 2015