The Need to Block Adult Sites, Does A Parental Control App Help?

The internet provides us access to a great wealth of information and data with very little effort, but unfortunately, this includes an endless amount of pornography as well. With this much exposure available on the internet, parents are worried about what should their child see and what not. If they do nothing, they soon lose control of the internet usage of their kids.

It is much easier and convenient to block adult sites these days. With the advancement in technology and web hosting services, it is not made easier to keep your children away from the adult content. But, is that necessary? Why are parents so much concerned about this? Why do they think that blocking adult sites will help? Do you think adult content is destroying your kids’ mental health?

Why Are the Adult Sites, A Big Concern?

Here is the story of Jen and her husband, dealing with their two teen boys regarding the explicit content. She admitted that they have digital gadgets all over their place and their boys are pretty much used to it. Jen and her husband believe that these things should be discussed with the kids in the most relaxing environment.

Kids do come across adult content no matter how much you stop them. Either they accidentally open up a website or their friend shows them the stuff. Either way, their minds will not be ready unless the parents have already discussed it with them and encouraged that they should share whenever they come across any inappropriate content.

Jen shared her story and suggested that internet service providers should also consider blocking this content as it is dangerous for the kids. Also, she suggested that a balancing environment and non-shaming communication should take place with the kids so that they know they can trust you.

Amy O’Leary, in her article “So How Do We Talk About This”? writes:

‘There is no set script and no predictable moment for the conversation. It can happen at as early an age as 6 or 7, when a child may not yet understand the basic mechanics of sex. It is typically set off by a child’s accidental wanderings online or the deliberate searches of a curious teenager on a smartphone, laptop, tablet or one of the other devices that have made it nearly impossible to grow up without encountering sexually explicit material. Even a quick Twitter or Facebook search reveals that older students report seeing pornography on others’ laptops or phones in class, usually with an “OMG” attached.’

Also, she suggested that parents make this horrible mistake of talking with children only after they have been exposed. Although this makes the conversation easier, does it become fruitful too? It is better to address this issue when they have not developed an opinion about it. 

How Can Adult Sites Affect Teens?

So, why would parents want to block adult sites? These sites are showing adult explicit content for which a teen’s mind is not ready yet. Some teens come back to their parents on their first exposure but some keep it to themselves. Can it be dangerous for them? 

Here are some of the common reasons for parents to block adult sites on kids’ devices:

1. Addiction

The biggest reason to use parental control software is pornography. There is a huge amount of pornography easily accessible on the internet. Even when the kid is not searching for it, it comes up as an add on various websites. 

It is studied that the average age of exposure to pornography is 11. Also, it is found that recently, almost 42 percent of teens aged between 11 to 17 have been exposed to porn. And, almost one-third of it is unwanted exposure. If your kids get this much exposure on the porn, there are pretty good chances of them being addicted to it. 

2. Unrealistic Expectations

With excessive exposure to porn comes unrealistic expectations. If kids are not told that the acts in porn are just fantasy-based and fake, they might end up ruining their new relationships. While watching pornography, they expect to experience the same thing in reality. Some teens have even reported hitting their girlfriends to make it intense like they do in pornography. 

There was a study conducted where it was observed that children try to imitate what is shown in porn. One boy said, “One of my friends has started treating women like he sees on the videos. Not major, just a slap here or there.”

3. The Feeling of Loneliness

Gray Brooks, a psychologist who is working on porn addiction for 30 years said, “the more one uses pornography, the lonelier one becomes”. It induces anxiety and stress, and according to the victim, consuming more pornography is the only fix. Well, it is not.

They hide it from others to not to face rejection or shame. But, in doing so, they make themselves so lonely that some even fall into depression.

4. Relationships Are Destroyed

They are teens who have just started to feel what is a relationship. If they are addicted to porn at the very start of their relationship, it has a very bad impact. Here is complete information about “What Porn Can Do to Intimacy?”

Although it might feel like when they are adults, they will understand and be mature about this. But, it is seen that this addiction starts at the teenage and it goes way down the road.

How A Parental Control App Can Help?

A parental control app like SecureTeen can ensure the safety for your kids. You cannot sit with them all the time while they are using laptops or their smartphones. You will have to leave them alone at one moment or another. So, why not create a backup plan?

When you have talked to them thoroughly about it, now is the time to act on it because still, they are kids. They will be curious so you better block adult sites before that happens. SecureTeen makes it easy and very convenient for you to block adult content on their digital devices. You can also set it automatically, or you can add the important URLs that you deem to be inappropriate.

Using a parental control app makes parenting easy and you will not have to worry about the curiosity of your kids. Just let them confide in you and tell them what are these restrictions for. Happy Parenting!