Digital media usage has been rising for the past few decades, and with it, more and more teenagers are getting exposed and addicted to unhealthy and harmful content like nudity, violence, abuse, etc. This unsolicited and unexpected exposure to such pornography will have long-lasting consequences and control on their developing mind and brains. As parents, it is of the utmost importance that we understand and learn how to protect our children from such content.
The following guide will explain the phenomenon of pornography mind control and its impact on teenagers and children, as well as provide helpful tips to tackle the issue. So, if you’ve found your child is curious about provocative content or facing porn addiction, the following guide will help.
What is pornography mind control?
Ever since internet connection became available for any and everyone, pornography consumption has become incredibly easy to access with a few taps and clicks. Today’s youth can access the adult content they desire with the privacy of their devices. This doesn’t bode well for them and their parents as exposure to pornography, either done intentionally or unintentionally, may lead to addiction, which can later on turn into habits, and such bad habits are usually tough to get rid of. To add fuel to the fire, the anonymous aspect of this access means that they can explore pornographic content freely and secretly.
Digital devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktop computers, which were intended to be the tools to improve our lives, can cause devastation to young minds, as we have observed in the past few decades as more and more teenagers are getting addicted. Moreover, social media platforms and search engines have made the situation worse, as even minor and unrelated searches can lead to exposure to pornographic material.
Interplay between pornography and mind control
The continuous and unrestricted consumption of pornographic material can slowly and subtly warp and mold an individual’s cognitive processes and behavior in a harmful way. It does not constitute direct brainwashing but a gradual conditioning that impacts the viewer’s thoughts, beliefs, and behavior over time. It affects the person’s neuroplasticity, which is the ability of a brain to function normally as the growing minds change in response to their new experience.
As mentioned above, conditioning can be particularly dangerous when brains are still developing. Regular exposure and porn addiction can have a long-lasting impact as extreme and unrealistic sex videos can lead to teenagers developing bad habits like “fetish” or “kinks.” Sexual fetishism can be described as a need or desire for an object, body part, or activity for sexual excitement, whereas kink or “kinkiness” is the use of non-conventional sexual practices, concepts, or fantasies.
This further strays teenagers from the reality of sex and its consequences, therefore affecting their real-life attitudes and expectations. Their warped view blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, influencing how teens perceive and engage in intimate relationships.
Harmful effects of porn on young brains
Neurological impact
As the brain grows, it makes new neurological connections and pathways further heightened by neuroplasticity. Exposure to pornography at such an early age can disrupt this natural process by affecting the brain’s reward system. Pornographic material stimulates the release of dopamine, which primarily controls the brain’s pleasure and reward system.
Over time, the brain can become desensitized to the stimulus of pornography mind control and requires more and more content of extreme nature to achieve the same level of arousal. Desensitization can cause everyday activities to seem like chores and less satisfying, leading to compulsive behavior. So, you need to consider using a porn blocker to keep your kid away from such content.
Attitude toward sex and relationships
Sometimes, pornographic content depicts unrealistic and harmful depictions of sex, which are devoid of any emotional connection or mutual respect. It normalizes the taboo of this nature for the unsuspecting young ones. They start to perceive sex as only a physical act of bodily desire devoid of any other feelings. Therefore, this prevents them from forming genuine bonds with their partners in the future.
Influence on sexual behaviors and preferences
Early exposure to pornography is recognized as being directly linked to partnered sexual behavior and more sexual partners. Dissatisfaction and anxiety may result from comparison with pornographic material when their partner or their own behavior does not resemble the pornography.
The link between sexual pornographic viewing and sexual dysfunction has also been much debated. Researchers discovered that teens who watched pornography more frequently hooked up with their sexual partners more often and had more one-night stands, and planned to have more sex partners in the future than peers who watched porn less frequently.
Teens who watched pornography more often viewed sex as “using/dominating someone”, “doing/screwing someone”, “compulsive act”, “public commodity”, “physical enjoyment” and “impulse gratification”. Furthermore, pornography’s portrayal of certain body types can set unrealistic standards, affecting teens’ self-esteem and body image.
Additional impacts
Pornography sometimes may not have obvious impacts but can still affect the health of the body. A decline in physical health is seen in the potential erectile dysfunction among males after prolonged use of porn. When a teenager becomes addicted to pornography, like other addictions, it will constantly be on their mind, and the longer they go without it, the more difficult it may be for them to function normally. Teens may also experience increased levels of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
Social media amplifies pornography mind control
The internet and social media facilitate and amplify the effects of pornography. These platforms often serve as gateways to pornography. They have immensely contributed to the pervasive nature of adult content. These platforms often rely on social media for their marketing campaigns and user engagement, making it easier for teens to come across pornographic material. With the rise of online pornography platforms came a plethora of concerns to keep children and teenagers out of harm’s way.
More and more platforms with advanced algorithm technologies are designed to keep users engaged by recommending content based on their interests, keeping them hooked, and brainwashing them.
These algorithms analyze user behavior to make appropriate suggestions as well. Therefore, when a user interacts with pornographic material, the algorithm notices it and recommends more of the same content. This creates a cycle of consumption which is not easy to break.
This integration of pornography into social media spells nothing but trouble for their vulnerable and young target audience. It further amplifies the risk of pornography mind control, and without proper measures in place, it could have devastating and long-lasting effects on the growing minds.
Why and how do you talk to your teens about internet pornography?
Open communication about internet pornography with your young ones is the key to helping them develop a healthy understanding of sex and relationships. Without proper guidance, they may turn to their primary source of information about sex, i.e., the internet, which can further lead to delusional and distorted behaviors.
With the help of open and honest conversations, parents can provide accurate information and dispel myths. It will pave a path to set proper and realistic expectations about sex and relationships. This open-minded dialogue between parents and their children can help navigate the complexities of their developing sexuality in a safe and informed manner.
Tips for effective communication
- Create a comfortable space to talk: A comfortable setting will encourage open dialogue with less anxiety. It might be during a walk, a drive, or at home.
- Delay exposure: Turn on “kids mode” before giving your little one access to any digital device, or it could be even better to turn off the Wi-Fi altogether. Establish age-appropriate guidelines for internet use. Gradually introduce them to an online environment under supervision.
- Be simple and direct: Be straightforward and use age-appropriate language when discussing pornography. Avoid any overly complex explanations that might confuse your child. The clear and direct expression helps them understand your message.
- Avoid shaming: Absolutely avoid shaming your children. Approach them with empathy. Shame can shut down communication between you and your child, and they will be less likely to come to you with future concerns or questions. Give them support when they need it the most.
- Talk about porn vs. sex: Elaborate the differences between porn and real-life sex. Explain that pornography often exaggerates and provides unrealistic scenarios that do not equate to a healthy sexual relationship. Educate them about sexually transmitted diseases.
- Address their curiosity: Understand and acknowledge that curiosity about sex and the human body is normal. Provide information and answer their questions with complete honesty. Try to understand their feelings and teach them about the content they might encounter on the internet.
- Use educational resources: Use every tool at your disposal to guide them, be it educational books, videos, and articles that explain the effects of pornography and promote healthy habits. These resources can prove to be quite beneficial and will provide additional perspectives to your children.
How to protect your children from porn?
Parental controls are the tools that may be included in digital devices like television, computers, video games, mobile devices, and software that allow parents to restrict the access of harmful content to their children. These controls enable parents to monitor their children’s online activities, therefore creating a safer online environment for their children. Proper usage of parental controls can significantly reduce the risk of unsolicited exposure to explicit content.
One of the effective tools that you can use to keep an eye on your kids is FlashGet Kids. This parental control solution offers a one-step fix for monitoring and tracking troubles. You just have to set up this app on your child’s phone and pair it up with your parental control dashboard. Here is a general overview of what you’ll get from FlashGet Kids.
- Keyword management and content filter: This feature allows keyword detection and blocks access to apps or websites that host pornographic material. It helps that explicit content is automatically filtered out, thus reducing the risk of exposure.
- Screen time management: Set time limits for your children’s internet usage and help them manage their daily schedules effectively.
- Live monitoring: Monitor your children’s online activities with app usage info. This helps parents understand their children’s online behavior and promptly address potential issues.
- App blocker: The app will help you restrict access to harmful apps on your kid’s phone.
All in all, you can protect your kid from all directions with FlashGet Kids. It can take a few minutes of your time to set up this app. However, once you’re through the setup, everything on your child’s phone will just be a click away.
Final thoughts
The pervasive influence of pornography mind control on young minds highlights the need for vigilant and informed parental intervention all over the world. Ignoring basic parental control tools like FlashGet Kids and open communication with your child will only harm their mental and physical health. Moreover, you will set your child up for failure if you keep avoiding this awkward conversation. Everything boils down to how comfortable your child is around you. So, focus on creating an environment where your kid can freely tell you everything.
