“Your kids will never use porn”

You're not alone if you think your elementary-age kids would never get into porn. In the UK, 75% of surveyed parents believed this too. Sadly, they found out they were wrong. When these parents talked about porn with their children, they discovered that 53% had already viewed porn.

Some experts say the average age for the first exposure to porn is between ages 10 and 12. Usually, a child first sees porn accidentally. But children are often influenced to look at porn on friends' phones or devices, or sheer natural curiosity causes them to go back and look at more.

Porn is dangerous for kids. It shows them fake sex. It paints false expectations for future relationships. Porn is a terrible teacher. It can lead kids to think sexual abuse is okay and normal. Porn overloads a child's brain and emotions, which are still developing.

It is so important to talk to your children about sex and relationships at their age level. Prepare your kids to refuse to take a second glance at porn — and let them know it's safe to talk to you about any porn they accidentally see.

Also, protect your kids as much as you can. Set up blockers and filters on anything that gives them internet access. Teach them that you will check on their internet viewing habits because you love them — not because you don't trust them.