Survey finds one in ten 12-13-year-olds worry they are ‘addicted’ to porn
Ten percent of those aged 12-13 have expressed concern tha they are “addicted” to pornography, a survey has found.
The figures, from NSPCC and ChildLine asked 700 children about their experiences of porn.
Shockingly, 20% of those asked said they had seen pornographic images they found shocking or upsetting.
More than one in ten (12%) of respondents said they had taken part in or made a sexually explicit video, and that viewing porn was “a part of everyday life” for many of those who responded.
One boy under the age of 15 told Childline he is “always watching porn, and some of it is quite aggressive”.
The Childline Fight Against Porn Zombies (FAPZ) aims to stop the overexposure to porn for young boys and girls.
Peter Liver, director of ChildLine, said: “Children of all ages today have easy access to a wide range of pornography,” he said. “If we as a society shy away from talking about this issue, we are failing the thousands of young people it is affecting.
“We know from the young people who contact ChildLine that viewing porn is a part of everyday life, and our poll shows that one in five 12 to 13-year-olds thinks that watching porn is normal behaviour.
“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.”
He also said he supported plans to teach children from age 11 about rape and sexual consent, as part of PSHE in schools.
Dame Esther Rantzen, ChildLine’s founder, said it was shocking that children as young as 11 are approaching the helpline with concerns about pornography.
“Young people are turning to the internet to learn about sex and relationships,” she said.
“We know they 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.
“Girls in particular have said they feel like they have to look and behave like porn stars to be liked by boys.”
Dame Esther said that improved education was vital.
“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,” she said.