Pornography Addiction

The Numbers

pornography_info1

76% of 8-24 year-old Christians actively seek out porn.

pornography_info2

62% of teens and young adults have received a sexually explicit image and 41% have sent one. Most teens are “sexting.”

pornorgraphy_info3

93% of pastors see porn as an increasing problem in the church but only 7% have a plan to deal with it”

  • 11 is the average age that a child is first exposed to pornography, and 94% of children will see pornography by the age of 14
  • 1/3 of internet downloads are related to pornography
  • 40 million Americans are regular visitors to approximately 42 million pornography websites
  • “Most Americans believe pornography is ‘bad for society’, but those attitudes are shifting toward neutrality or ‘good for society’ among younger generations”
  • Digital access is the primary means to pornography and unsolicited pornography. 71% of young adults and 50% of teens have come across what they consider to be pornography at least once a month regardless of if they are seeking it out
  • Teenage girls and young women are more likely to actively seek out pornography than women over age 25
  • 47% of family’s indicate that pornography is a problem in their home.
  • 90% teens and 96% of young adults are either encouraging, accepting, or neutral when talking about pornography to their friends
  • Teens and young adults 13-24 believe not recycling is worse than viewing pornography
  • Despite having awareness of the rising problem, most churches do not have a program that is designed to assist with those struggling with pornography
  • 70% of Christian youth pastors have had at least one teen struggling with pornography come to them for help

What are the effects of a Pornography Addiction?

  • Depression and Loss of Interests
  • Lying, Stealing, Secrets
  • Debilitating Pursuit of Immediate Gratification
  • Technology Obsession
  • Lowered relationship quality
  • Financial issues or job loss
  • Increased risk of infidelity
  • Anxiety: Worry, nervousness, or unease
  • Negative body image: Your memories, assumptions, and generalizations about yourself when you look in the mirror, think about your body, and experience your physical body.
  • Harmful self-talk: Thinking or talking to yourself in ways that reinforce irrational ideas you have about yourself.

 

What’s worse, the feelings listed above can trigger the need to look at porn, creating a very harmful cycle of self-abuse. Porn is a drug, and like any other drug, is primarily used to mask uncomfortable feelings. Pleasure-inducing chemicals flood the brain when you watch it, making the pain go away momentarily. But then another hit is required to keep the shame, depression, and anxiety from making life unbearable again.

Resources

Pornography: Defined

 

Pornography: At the Root

 

Pornography: What Now?

 

Pornography: A Parent’s Perspective

 

Additional Resources:

https://www.addictionhope.com/blog/pornography-addiction-in-teens-signs-symptoms/

https://www.covenanteyes.com/

https://everaccountable.com/

Need Help?

If you or someone you know is struggling with a pornography addiction, Mercy Multiplied can help. Our residential program helps young women ages 13-32. If you reside in Monroe, LA or St Louis, MO, please consider applying to our Center for Wellness and Counseling. These outpatient counseling services are offered to men and women 13 and older. Our residential and outpatient services are free-of-charge, and you can learn more about these services here. If you do not qualify for either of these programs, please consider finding a Christian counselor in your area or visit aacc.net.

References

Click here to download