![[4-9] The Art and Science of Talking to Teens About Pornography](https://i0.wp.com/parentsaware.info/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1400x788-Art-and-Science-Talking-To-Teens_Feature.jpg?resize=840%2C420&ssl=1)
With the ease of access to today’s online pornography, it makes sense to have open, honest conversations with children from an early age. That’s the ideal. But it’s not often how it goes, right? In fact, you may have a teen already—and you’re just starting to think about how to broach this sensitive topic. You’re not alone. My guess is you want to know how to break the ice in a way that doesn’t feel awkward. You want to know the art and science of talking to teens about pornography!
In this episode, I speak with Gabe Deem, international speaker and creator of Reboot Nation—a free online recovery community that’s helped thousands of individuals overcome problems related to compulsive porn use. Gabe takes a non-shaming, fact-based approach to this important conversation.
Talking to teens about pornography
When starting the conversation with teens, Gabe suggests parents begin with an understanding of how the brain works. It’s not even necessary at this point to know what exposure your child may have had. The primary goal is to get them thinking about their health and remove any awkwardness from the topic of addiction and pornography.
In this episode:
- Instant access. What happens when porn consumption is normalized among young teens.
- Porn Dependency. Tens of thousands of young men are unable to become sexually aroused without porn.
- Frightened and alone. Porn’s impact on youth is both phycological and physiological.
- Approaching the conversation. Non-shaming, fact-based conversations teens appreciate.
Episode challenge
This week, talk with your teen about various substances or behaviors that can lead to addiction. (Think drugs, alcohol, gambling, or even sugar!) Next, discuss how the brain can become desensitized and even addicted to various things. Once you’ve established what addiction is then (and only then) introduce the topic of pornography. Our guest, Gabe, says this method of conversation is sure to grab a teen’s attention without making anyone feel awkward. End the conversation by challenging your teen to pursue healthy behaviors and relationships!
Download our FREE guide
Looking for an easy way to start the conversation? Get started with 10 Natural Ways to Talk to Kids About Pornography. Download your FREE pdf here. http://bit.ly/10-Ways-to-Talk
Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the show, please leave a positive review or tell a friend!
More about today’s guest
Gabe Deem is an international speaker, writer, and activist for better sex education. After recovering from porn addiction and a porn-induced sexual dysfunction himself, he has spent years studying the science of addiction, and now runs RebootNation.org, a free, online recovery community to help addicts and their partners overcome problems related to porn use. Gabe has presented at West Point, and on Capitol Hill to address members of Congress about porn’s impact on youth. He was featured in a TIME Magazine cover story in 2016 and has shared his story with Rolling Stone, MTV, Netflix, Katie Couric, and many others.
Links/Resources
NEW COURSE – Get Off the Fence: Confidently Talk to Your Child or Teen About Pornography
FORTIFY – Is your teen struggling with pornography? Click here to check out Fortify – FREE for youth!
BARK – Want help monitoring your kids’ apps and social media? Click here for a FREE 30-day trial of the Bark App or download it at the app store and use our promo code: MEDIASAVVY
COVENANT EYES – Need great filtering software for your internet and devices? Click here to check out Covenant Eyes.
*Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means, at no additional cost to you, Parents Aware/Media Savvy Moms receives a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thanks for helping to support us in our mission to protect families from the harms of pornography.
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