Protecting Children from the Dangers of Pornography: Guidance for Twenty-First Century Parents

Abstract

Despite the ever increasing availability of pornography to young people in today’s culture, little has been done to equip parents to educate their children about the dangers pornography presents. Scripture compels parents to instruct their children, but they are left pondering the questions of how, when, and what they should tell their kids about pornography. This paper encourages an approach to parenting that includes education about and protection from the dangers of pornography as a part of a child’s sex education. This thesis defends the adoption of a lifelong development of a child’s sexual character over and against a one-time “birds and the bees” talk. This thesis summarizes the dangers presented by pornography and stresses the importance of parents providing the child’s first perspective on pornography. The writer provides information to assist parents in inoculating children of all ages against the dangers of pornography and to prepare them for what to do when exposure to pornography occurs. The paper also addresses what steps parents should take when a child has developed a curiosity for or has begun using pornography. The thesis concludes that strategic parenting can significantly reduce a child’s risk to the spiritual and physical damage caused by pornography.