FYI: Cyber Sex/Pornography with Teens & Youth

Here are some disturbing statistics that parents need to be aware of when it comes to our adolescents.

90% of 8-16 year olds have viewed porn online, mostly while doing homework. (London School of Economics, January, 2002)

Average age of first exposure to pornography: 11. (internet filter review.com)

Adult industry says traffic is 20%-30% children. (NRC Report 2003)

27% of 7-17 year olds surveyed in 2003 would freely give out home address; 14% would freely give out email address. (2003)

One in five children who use computer chatrooms has been approached over the Internet by pedophiles. (Top Ten Reviews, Inc. 2005)

89% of sexual solicitations were made in either chat rooms or Instat Messages. (Top Ten Reviews, Inc. 2005)

25% of youth who received sexual solicitation told a parent. (Top Ten Reviews, Inc. 2005)

I do not recommend that everyone shut down their computers and ban all children and adolescents from using one again. This is obviously not realistic and there are many pros to the internet as well. However, this information should be used to educate your children regarding internet dangers and also the rules your household has set forth for internet usage.