World-wide, the porn industry earns more than $57 billion every year. In the U.S. alone, porn rakes in about $12 billion each year. That's more than the combined income of all professional football, baseball and basketball teams. The audience numbers are equally astounding. Family Safe Media, a media watchdog group, reports children aged 12 to 17 are the largest viewers of internet pornography.
Dr. Kimball says a crisis is looming. “As a clinician, the
biggest increase in private practice and couples therapy are couples coming to
counseling because one of them is entrenched in porn. The impact on
marriages and families is immense. And it starts when people are in
their teens.”
Most of the children Kimball treats for sexual dependencies are between the ages of 14 and 16. Dr. Kimball believes these teens have been struggling with pornography problems for some time before their parents seek treatment.
Most of the children Kimball treats for sexual dependencies are between the ages of 14 and 16. Dr. Kimball believes these teens have been struggling with pornography problems for some time before their parents seek treatment.
In “Teenagers and Pornography Addiction,” Dr. Haney
wrote, “When a teenager is subjected to an arousing image, the adrenal gland
secretes epinephrine into the bloodstream, where it proceeds to the
brain. Other body chemicals, such as serotonin, adrenaline,
endorphins, and dopamine also are at play creating a euphoric state in the
user. Teens who experience this biochemical thrill will, not surprisingly, want
to experience it again.”
Lott worries that children are becoming sexualized at
increasingly younger ages, mostly because of television and Internet. “It’s a
very powerful medium that people react to differently. As a general
whole, Internet pornography could be described as a gateway medium to
more serious sexual dependencies, obsessions and
compulsions. It impacts every youth differently. For
some, it really captures them.”
Most experts feel the best way to help your child is by
getting a proper assessment of the problem.
“Call someone who specializes in treating sexual addictions,” advises Dr. Kimball. “In these children, sexual addiction is one small part of the problem. The program should also address depression, anxiety and social skills.”
Kimball cautions parents to realize there is a difference between experimenting with pornography and being addicted to it. “You don’t just throw a child into an in-patient setting. Assess the problem and then address the level of care.”
Lott says a teen who has crossed the line and gone from watching pornography to touching or abusing another person will require in-patient care in a highly specialized environment.
“Call someone who specializes in treating sexual addictions,” advises Dr. Kimball. “In these children, sexual addiction is one small part of the problem. The program should also address depression, anxiety and social skills.”
Kimball cautions parents to realize there is a difference between experimenting with pornography and being addicted to it. “You don’t just throw a child into an in-patient setting. Assess the problem and then address the level of care.”
Lott says a teen who has crossed the line and gone from watching pornography to touching or abusing another person will require in-patient care in a highly specialized environment.
