Pornography and Sextortion
By Kristen Hatton
In an age when more kids have smartphones by age 11 than those who do not, we must not be naïve about pornography exposure. In fact, it is no coincidence that the average age of first exposure to pornography is also age 11. And, get this; 22% of online porn consumption by those under 18 are children under the age of 10.
- By the age of 18, 93% of all boys and 62% of all girls have seen porn.
- Nearly half view it regularly.
- Only 12% of parents know.
Now imagine with me – a pretty girl begins following a teen boy on Instagram. She then slides into his DM (direct messaging) with a link to video chat. Not only does this pique his interest, but he’s ripe for what comes next.
Upon clicking the link, the girl shows up on video, nude. In an instant, a brain captive to his desires, he willingly responds to her instructions while watching her perform. And then: Bam! She flips the camera to reveal she's caught him on video with his hands in his pants (pun intended).
As if the shock and humiliation over what just transpired isn’t enough, she threatens to send the video to all his contacts if he doesn’t pay up.
According to one news report, scammers like this are raking in $100,000 monthly. Considering his panic at the thought of his family and finding out, it is easy to see why the boys and men get busted, pay up – sometimes in excess of $2,000. Whether he pays or not, he is left full of fear and shame.
For the teens this happens to – and research shows one in five have received sexual solicitations online – most feel like they can’t possibly tell their parents. How humiliating even to tell a friend. Alone, imagine what he is experiencing.
In the darkness of guilt and shame, any of us are easy prey for Satan. It is one of his best tactics – separating us from others and then capitalizing on our regret, cognitive distortions and low self-worth as the means for sending us into depression and searching for relief. Often, this is how the downward spiral into mental health struggles begin.
Parents, we must help our kids know we are safe people for them to talk to, otherwise we leave them vulnerable to attack. One way to become safe is normalizing taboo topics, such as pornography and sexting, by starting the conversation early and having it often.
In an age-appropriate manner, we must talk about the dangers and the ploys and what to do when they encounter porn. I say when and not if because even with every safeguard in place, we cannot protect our kids perfectly.
Restrictive measures like internet filters are great for limiting access, but they are not foolproof and do nothing to address the heart. Scripture tells us “the heart is deceitful beyond understanding” (Jeremiah 17:9). This means our kids’ sin nature will betray even their best intentions to avoid temptation – just as it is for us.
Knowing this is true of us should help us identify with our kids in their sin. Too often, though, we respond to our kids’ sin by heaping more shame upon them instead of identifying with them and showing compassion.
When this is true, why would our kids want to come to us? It makes sense then that they would continue to do what’s natural to us all – staying hidden.
But, when we talk freely about hard topics and honestly about temptation and sin (including ours), our kids will be more likely to confide in us. Take the adolescent or young adult caught off-guard by sextortion. If he knows his parents’ absolute acceptance and grace-based approach to the reality of sin, he will be more inclined in his sin and shame to come to them. And in doing so, he might be spared from on-going self-condemnation and pervading shame.
As uncomfortable as it may feel to start conversations about pornography and sex, or as much as you worry that in doing so your kids will lose their innocence too young, the only one you are protecting is yourself – from temporary awkwardness.
But by entering into dialogue, you are giving a gift to your child that may spare him or her from wrestling alone with shame. And – you may also spare yourself from later wrestling with regret after discovering what your child tried to hide that kept you from being able to help when he or she needed it most.
Kristen Hatton is an LPC Candidate at TLCC
