The Tangled Web of Internet Porn
By Jim Burns, Ph.D.
Internet porn is so widespread and so easily accessible (often unintentionally) that it presents a significant challenge to avoid completely. Because of its insidious nature, Internet porn has ensnared many people – usually men – and particularly adolescents – in its tangled web. This tip sheet is offered in hopes to inform about the nature and dangers of Internet porn. Additionally, you’ll find some ideas for protecting your home against it, as well as some final thoughts of how those who are trapped in its web can find help to break free.
Statistics about Internet Porn
The following statistics were found on the Protect Kids website (www.protectkids.com):
•As of 2003, there were 1.3 million porn websites.
•As of 2003, the number of pornographic web pages topped 260 million and was steadily growing.
•74% of commercial Internet porn websites display free teaser porn images on their homepages.
•In September of 2003, 32 million individuals visited Internet porn websites (71% were males, 29% females).
•25 million Americans spend between 1 and 10 hours per week visiting Internet porn websites. An additional 4.7 million Americans spend over 11 hours per week visiting Internet porn websites.
•17.8% of all “born again” Christians in America have visited Internet porn websites.
•90% of kids between the ages of eight and 16 have viewed pornography on the Internet.
•70% of online teens have accessed pornography on the Internet accidentally.
The Dangers of Internet Porn
•Pornography is degrading. It promotes sexual acts without providing a relational context, thus sex becomes impersonal. It does not address the needs for relationship, honesty and intimacy with a spouse. Therefore, pornography leads men to become preoccupied with only sexual acts. Consumption of pornography by men raises the likelihood of sexual violence against women.
•Pornography exploits women, treating them as sexual objects to fulfill the sexual desires of men.
•Pornography is also damaging to relationships, particularly to marriage. Men who are involved in pornography often end up with unrealistic sexual desires in regards to frequency, type of sexual acts engaged in, a woman’s response, etc. Pornography is a make believe world – but can become the “standard” for sexual behavior for those who become addicted to it.
•Internet porn, specifically, has been called the “crack cocaine of sexual addiction” by Dr. Robert Weiss of the Sexual Recovery Institute.
Safeguarding Your Home against Internet Porn
The Internet is here to stay – and it will continue to gain an increasing role in the average American home experience. There are many positive aspects to utilizing the Internet. The challenge is to keep your Internet experience as safe as possible. So, here are some practical tips for safeguarding the Internet for your family’s usage.
•Educate yourself and your kids about the Internet.
•Select an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that offers server-based filtering.
•Purchase and install porn blocking software.
•Set family standards on Internet usage and post them near the computer.
•Report suggestive messages or pornographic e-mail messages to your ISP.
Getting Help for an Internet Porn Addiction
If you or a loved-one has an addiction to Internet Porn, in most cases, it won’t “just go away.” The addict will have to take action steps in order to find healing. Seeking out a professional Christian counselor is a great first step in finding healing for a sexual addiction.
“This article may not be written by an Apostolic author, but it contains many excellent principles and concepts that can be adapted to most churches. As the old saying goes, “Eat the meat. Throw away the bones.”
