It’s the conversation you don’t want to have. It’s awkward. And it’s about… porn. Whether you have a tween or teen, it’s important to start this conversation now, and to continue it as your kid grows. There’s no one right way to talk to kids about porn. But it needs to happen to keep them safe.
Why talk about porn with kids?
Your sons and daughters are online so much, both at school and at home. They have laptops in classrooms and phones in their pockets. Content we don’t want them to see can reach them at all hours of the day. And truly, we don’t know all they’ve seen.
Sometimes, school firewalls break. Other times, a friend sends a text or snap. It could be a nude (or semi-nude) photo of a classmate, or a pornographic image from the internet. As moms, we can keep our kids safer by talking with them about porn and why they need to avoid it. Porn consumption can erode “the region of the brain that houses executive functions like morality, willpower and impulse control,” says Neuroscience News. And this can lead to long-term consequences, including mental health challenges. It’s important that our kids understand the ramifications of porn use so they’ll think twice before viewing it.
Use our printable to get the conversation rolling.
You can start talking to your kids about porn as young as 8 or 9. But if they’re already 13, 15, or 17, it’s never too late. Though it’s hard, you have what it takes to make this awkward conversation with your son or daughter happen.
Start with one or two questions today and pick up the talk again in a few months. Every child’s different, so choose what questions are best for your family. Don’t worry if you don’t get much of a response! It’s an awkward topic for everyone. And if the convo only lasts a few minutes, that’s OK too. The idea is to start this conversation and keep it going over time. Doing so will help your child stay safe and will guide his or her thoughts on sexuality and love going forward. You can do this!
For more questions covering a variety of topics, download our Q & U app today.
