Rising trend of Porn Addiction Among Children: A Disturbing Reality

The post-pandemic era has witnessed a concerning surge in the trend of porn addiction among children, with even young adults as old as eight years falling prey to explicit content. 

Experts and doctors are issuing a wake-up call to parents and teachers as children are being robbed of their innocence in the digital age.

Experts have highlighted a shift in children’s behaviour, moving from innocent activities like watching cartoons to engaging with explicit content, including ‘same-sex’ material. 

Experts working in child welfare, expressed  their deep concern, stating that cases of porn addiction among children have nearly doubled since the pre-pandemic period.

Case studies reveal that children, particularly those in classes 8 to 10, are involving themselves in explicit content, often using ‘code names’ to conceal their activities. Investigations indicate that these children are addicted to watching porn on their parents’ smartphones, marking a troubling trend on the rise.

Child and adolescent psychiatrists hold parents responsible for the escalating issue. They note that children as young as four years old are showing signs of trauma due to exposure to explicit content.  

They also emphasize that parents, who themselves often watch and store such content, play a crucial role in exposing their children to the world of porn.

Mobile Phones and Privacy:

Experts underscore the significance of mobile phones as extremely private devices and stresses the need for parents to use blockers, be mindful of their content consumption, and monitor their children’s mobile usage. 

They call for stricter measures in schools, advocating a “de-digitization” model to limit phone usage among students and raise awareness about the risks associated with porn addiction.

An expert doctor from child psychiatry committee emphasized the importance of education and awareness among both children and parents. 

Counselling and close monitoring of children’s cellphone usage, with prompt intervention if any behavioural changes are noticed are recommended.

The rising trend of porn addiction among children post-pandemic demands urgent attention and proactive measures from parents, teachers, and society as a whole. 

Stricter regulations, education, and awareness campaigns are crucial to address this disturbing reality and protect the innocence of the younger generation in the digital age.