How to talk to children and teens affected by early exposure to sexual content
Online mature content is easily accessible to minors, and parents are struggling to cope. An expert offers tips to start the conversation
The online world has opened a floodgate of sexual content for young people, often leaving their parents seeking relevant ways to talk about consent, boundaries and healthy relationships.
For many, the first sign of trouble happens in their children’s bedrooms: walking in on them watching pornography, overhearing crude conversations with friends or noticing a sudden change in their attitude and behaviour.
Relationship counsellor and certified clinical sexologist Dr Martha Tara Lee, based in Singapore, says more parents are seeking help over this issue. Youths are exposed to sexual material online, and often without context or accuracy, she notes. Early exposure to pornography may be a reason for a shift in some youngsters’ values and their hostility towards women.
This has contributed to violent extremism and even some communities that appear to condone or encourage rape.