Podcast

When Parents Struggle to Talk About Porn

When Parents Struggle to Talk About Porn

Talking about pornography with your kids may not be the easiest thing you’ll ever do. But figuring out how to take on this challenge may be one of the best things you do as a parent. Take heart you are not alone. Before sitting down to write this post I scrolled through a page of fun parenting memes to get me in the right frame of mind. It’s an exercise I recommend for anyone who needs a quick laugh and a gentle reminder that we’re not alone in any number of parenting frustrations. The same is true when it comes…
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Help Kids Reject Pornography: 5 Powerful Parenting Tips

Help Kids Reject Pornography: 5 Powerful Parenting Tips

Over the past several months I have had the opportunity to meet frequently with Claudine Gallacher, writing coach of the best-selling children’s book, Good Pictures Bad Pictures. Do I consider this good fortune? Absolutely! As a regular contributor and editor of the Protect Young Minds blog, Gallacher has gathered a wealth of knowledge regarding how children respond to pornography. Each time we meet I make a point to pick her brain for tidbits and advice on how parents can help keep kids safe from online pornography. With her permission, I'm sharing her advice on how to give your children the…
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Do Schools Encourage Students to view Pornography?

Do Schools Encourage Students to view Pornography?

When Gary Wilson described internet pornography “as the fastest moving, most global experiment ever unconsciously conducted” he was spot on. Our school system, as it stands now, is unwittingly encouraging students to join the experiment! Hold on to your seat because it’s time for me to rant! Please imagine I am shouting this entire post though I will spare you the ALL CAPS! More and more research is confirming that porn tops the list of highly addictive substances. It has the ability to rewire the brain and deteriorate growth in the prefrontal cortex. Children are especially vulnerable. Yet, schools remain…
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When Pornography Laws Can’t Protect Children

When Pornography Laws Can’t Protect Children

This Fall an article appeared in the National Post entitled A Distorted Picture by Joseph Brean. It caused me pause to reflect upon the ineffectiveness of the current child pornography laws in Canada and how important it is today for parents to be more engaged in their children’s online activities. Brean discusses the practice and subsequent consequences of young teens (predominantly girls) sending sexualized, nude selfies to other teens (typically boys).  The boys then share these images with their buddies as casually, if not more enthusiastically, as they would any other type of trading card. Unlike the foil-wrapped sports cards, I remember…
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5 Effective Strategies to Align School Sex-Ed Programs with Your Family Values

5 Effective Strategies to Align School Sex-Ed Programs with Your Family Values

Nothing irks parents and teachers more than when government bureaucrats and outside agencies step in and dictate exactly what, when and how children should be taught. The introduction of a new sex-education curriculum is likely to cause more agitation than any other subject. Opponents of sex-ed curriculums argue that when children are given too much information, too soon it grooms children toward deviant sexual behavior. On the other hand, supporters insist that public schools have an ethical responsibility to educate children with accurate and up-to-date information in all aspects of their health. The purpose of this article is not to…
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You Mean it’s Not a BA-jina?!?!?!

You Mean it’s Not a BA-jina?!?!?!

We love success stories! One parent shared with us this week how she became more comfortable talking with her children about sexuality. She admits that it was when she allowed her children’s questions to guide the discussion that everything changed. She believes that this one positive experience has opened the door to many future conversations in their home about the growing body, love, relationships, sex, intimacy, and even the dangers of pornography. Well done Kayley! The Dreaded Talk I don’t know about you but growing up we didn’t discuss sex much in our house.  I do remember having a special talk…
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Spotting The Lies: Porn’s Misrepresentation of Sex

Spotting The Lies: Porn’s Misrepresentation of Sex

Last week I posted a link to an information page created by childline.org.uk. The page is designed to help children make sense of the pornography they are regularly exposed to online. As you follow through the link you’ll notice the language is quite stark. You might even describe the advice given as dispassionate or void of direction. Take heart; there's a good reason for this. Helplines such as this provide children with a place to talk and ask questions they might be embarrassed or afraid to ask anywhere else. Because of the anonymity and acceptance of all queries at the helpline, barriers are broken…
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Does Your School get a Passing Grade on Pornography Awareness?

Does Your School get a Passing Grade on Pornography Awareness?

I started to feel a bit anxious as I sat waiting for the Principal in the school office—like I was a kid getting in trouble for something I didn’t do. Interestingly enough, when she opened her door and extended a welcoming hand, I sensed similar apprehensions on her part. For better or worse, I had managed until this moment to slip under the radar of our new Administration. Now here I was at our first face-to-face, ready to talk about pornography and its influence at school—Gulp! I knew, according to the letter that had come home on the first day…
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4 Steps to Creating an Effective Internet Safety Contract with your Family

4 Steps to Creating an Effective Internet Safety Contract with your Family

The value of creating an Internet Safety Contract is often overlooked by many families. For starters, it's an incredibly simple way to start a discussion with children about a number of online dangers, not the least of which is pornography. The start of a new school year is an excellent time to establish and review these safety guidelines. In fact, your children have probably brought home a letter for you to sign with them, acknowledging that you both know what it means to use the technology at school appropriately. We certainly did. It was sent home on the first day…
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5 Questions Every Parent Should Be Able to Answer About Pornography

5 Questions Every Parent Should Be Able to Answer About Pornography

It’s been said that we are the first generation that must talk to our children about pornography. Like many, you may not feel ready to have that conversation. You may even wonder how relevant this issue is to your own kids. Explore the answers to these five important questions and we promise you will be ready to start talking today! #1 Are my children really at risk of being exposed to pornography? The answer is YES. Research demonstrates it is not a question of IF… but WHEN children will be exposed to pornography. 11-years-old is the average age when kids are…
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