The Most Dangerous Thing to Give a Teenage Boy

If you’re a parent with a son still living at home, then you need to read this. The most dangerous thing you can give your son is unfiltered internet access. I know you know there’s some bad stuff on the internet (primarily porn), but it’s worse and more pervasive than you think. Roughly 25% of all internet searches are porn related, and the average age of first exposure to pornography is 11 years old.

When you were growing up, access to pornography was limited to purchasing dirty magazines at a gas station or watching adult themed movies. Now, any child with an iphone has unfiltered access to pornography that will severely warp his view of sexuality. Pornography will erode his future intimacy with his wife could enslave him for years to come. You don’t want that for your son.

I’m not saying that you need to become Amish and throw away all technology. I’m just saying you need to be smart.

• Realize there are parental controls on most smart phones. Use them.
• Realize there are ways to get around a lot of parental controls on most smart phones. Just because you blocked Safari, it doesn’t mean they don’t have internet access. Many other ‘safe’ apps (like Google or even CNN) have internet browsers built in. Don’t think blocking Safari has you in the clear.
• Most internet browsers now have ‘private browsing,’ allowing you to surf with no trail. So, just because their search history is clean, it doesn’t mean they haven’t been viewing porn.
• Use internet filters. One of my favorites is www.x3watch.com. More than a filter, it’s an accountability program that will notify you by email every time a questionable site is viewed.
• Have that awkward conversation with them. If they’re going to struggle with pornography, deal with it now. That’s what parents are supposed to do. As awkward as the conversation will be, I guarantee you he’ll thank you when he’s walking down the aisle, free from the chains that enslave too many married men.

Parents, don’t let your teenage boy become another victim of the pornography industry. If you have a teenage boy, he’s looked at porn. His level of exposure and his possibility for addiction will depend on your willingness to roll up your sleeves and fight for your son’s purity. So fight.

QUESTION: What other suggestions would you give parents who have teenage boys when it comes to internet access?