Ask Dr. Sharon

How can I protect my child from pornography?

• Install blocking software onto your computer to block porn sites.
• Use filtering software to filter out pornographic material.
• Monitor where your child has been on the Internet with monitoring software.
• Talk about pornography and child pornography. Clarify your values and concerns.
• Understand that pornographic images may be used to “groom” children into making them think that such acts are okay.
• Know that children are naturally curious about sex. It is unfortunate that when they seek information, much of what is readily available may not support healthy values or gender roles.
• Talk to your children about deleting e-mails from people they don’t know.
• Talk to your children about the inappropriate material they may encounter online and how this material may make them feel. Encourage them to come to you or a trusted adult with their feelings.

Why are children easy victims?

• Children and teens are trusting and in need of caring connections from adults.
• Adults or older teens have more knowledge and power.
• Children and teens try to act and may well appear, older than they are but are often naïve and easy to coerce.
• Children and teens have a need to please and obey adults.
• Children and teens seek love and approval from adults.
• Children are naturally curious about sex and want to be more "grown-up"
• Children are easily manipulated or intimidated.