Many parents are turning to Internet filters for help in keeping their children away from porn and other inappropriate material. So where does an adolescent go to find porn if they can't get it at home? Some answers may surprise you. One easily accessed computer that can be overlooked is the one at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Dr. Dan Gray, clinical director and cofounder of LifeStar Therapy Network (lifestartherapy.com) says, "We often have adolescents in our offices who are referred for pornography problems, who report that they usually access pornography at their grandparents' homes on their grandparents' computer."
Gray goes on to say, They often indicate that their parents have filters on their home computers, inhibiting their access there, but that Grandma and Grandpa have not placed safeguards on their electronics, allowing the teen's use of the computer to go unchecked."
Why is that? Do Grandma and Grandpa have excessive trust? Maybe they don't feel like their grandkids are "the type of kids" who get involved with pornography. Let's face it -- every parent and grandparent would like to think that their children are perfect and immune to the temptations of porn.
Realistically, however, the only "type" of kid or adult that can get involved with pornography is the human type. Everyone is susceptible, and many come across pornography completely by accident.
According to mykidsbrowser.com, 90 percent of 8 to 16-year-olds have viewed pornography online, most while doing homework. They also site that the 12 to 17-year-old age group is the largest consumer of internet pornography. The average age of first internet exposure to pornography -- eleven years old.
Maybe the problem is trust. Perhaps grandparents worry that their grandkids won't feel trusted if there is a filter on the computer at Grandma's house.
If the grandkids don't have a porn addiction and they aren't seeking out pornography, then they may never even realize there is a block. If the grandkids are addicted or are seeking it out, then the block is especially needed.
This issue isn't about trust. It's about protecting your loved ones.
It is important to note that filters alone will not stop a child from finding pornography. Having a good relationship and communication with your child or grandchild is very beneficial. Children need a safe place to talk about the trials and temptations that they encounter as well as a plan to work through them.
For more information on how to limit what your grandchildren can see on the Internet while at your house, see this article from the American Grandparents Association.
You can also install Internet filtering software on your computer to help block unwanted material. If you aren't tech savvy, you may want to ask another trusted adult for help.
Think about what you can do to make sure that your kids or grandkids are safe online.
Dr. Dan Gray, clinical director and cofounder of LifeStar Therapy Network (lifestartherapy.com) says, "We often have adolescents in our offices who are referred for pornography problems, who report that they usually access pornography at their grandparents' homes on their grandparents' computer."
Gray goes on to say, They often indicate that their parents have filters on their home computers, inhibiting their access there, but that Grandma and Grandpa have not placed safeguards on their electronics, allowing the teen's use of the computer to go unchecked."
Why is that? Do Grandma and Grandpa have excessive trust? Maybe they don't feel like their grandkids are "the type of kids" who get involved with pornography. Let's face it -- every parent and grandparent would like to think that their children are perfect and immune to the temptations of porn.
Realistically, however, the only "type" of kid or adult that can get involved with pornography is the human type. Everyone is susceptible, and many come across pornography completely by accident.
According to mykidsbrowser.com, 90 percent of 8 to 16-year-olds have viewed pornography online, most while doing homework. They also site that the 12 to 17-year-old age group is the largest consumer of internet pornography. The average age of first internet exposure to pornography -- eleven years old.
Maybe the problem is trust. Perhaps grandparents worry that their grandkids won't feel trusted if there is a filter on the computer at Grandma's house.
If the grandkids don't have a porn addiction and they aren't seeking out pornography, then they may never even realize there is a block. If the grandkids are addicted or are seeking it out, then the block is especially needed.
This issue isn't about trust. It's about protecting your loved ones.
It is important to note that filters alone will not stop a child from finding pornography. Having a good relationship and communication with your child or grandchild is very beneficial. Children need a safe place to talk about the trials and temptations that they encounter as well as a plan to work through them.
For more information on how to limit what your grandchildren can see on the Internet while at your house, see this article from the American Grandparents Association.
You can also install Internet filtering software on your computer to help block unwanted material. If you aren't tech savvy, you may want to ask another trusted adult for help.
Think about what you can do to make sure that your kids or grandkids are safe online.
