Here is a blog from our friends at Safeeyes.com. Parents if your looking for a great filter for your computer(s) this is it.
A recent study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health shows direct links between exposure to online pornography and increased sexual activity in teens, including a greater likelihood of high-risk sexual behavior.
The study out of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, conducted by Debra K. Braun-Corville, M.D., and Mary Rojas, Ph.D., surveyed youth between the ages of 12 and 22 using a questionaire to determine the participant’s level of exposure to online pornography, and his or her sexual behaviors and attitudes. A total of 492 youth participated.
The study shows a strong correlation between higher levels of exposure to online pornography and high-risk sexual behaviors, such as having multiple partners and using substances during sex. It also found that youth who visit more pornographic web sites tend to have more permissive attitudes towards casual sex. According to Dr.s Braun-Corville and Rojas:
Our results show that exposure to Internet pornography is associated with high-risk sexual behaviors that have the potential to adversely affect reproductive health.
The study also cites some other interesting findings:
* American youth spend one-third of each day with some form of mass media (tv, video games, computers)
* Adolescents exposed to a highly sexual television diet were twice as likely to experience a pregnancy, compared with teens with a lower level of exposure
* 42% of Internet users aged 10-17 report being exposed to pornography in the past year. 66% said this was unwanted exposure
* Females exposed to pornography were more likely to have negative attitudes toward condoms, to have multiple partners, and to test positive for chlamydia
There is nothing unclear about this picture, and once again scientific findings on the subject backup what common sense dictates: that continued exposure to pornography at a young age leads to pornographic attitudes and activities in youth, which of course can result in not only STDs and unwanted pregnancy, but also just bad decision making that can contribute to low self-esteem, shame, and guilt.
Parents who want to be in control of their child’s sexual education and encourage healthy attitudes and behaviors regarding sex in their kids need to limit their kids’ exposure to online pornography, and installing filtering software is the most effective way to accomplish this. We believe that installing filtering software should always be part of an open and transparent Internet Safety Gameplan that is agreed upon by all members of the family, and should be used as an opportunity to discuss important Internet safety issues as a family.