Your child watches pornography

The Discovery: How and Why It Happens

Access to pornography in the digital age is, for most minors, unavoidable and often accidental.

It can occur through a malicious link (phishing), a pop-up window, a naïve internet search, or a peer recommendation.

Curiosity is the main driver of adolescent development, and sexuality is the most taboo and therefore most appealing topic.

It is crucial for parents to understand that the discovery or consumption of pornography does not turn the minor into an instant "pervert" or "addict", but is a symptom of a natural curiosity that has not found a better source of information.

The reaction of the parents at the moment of discovery is the most determining factor.

A reaction of panic, anger, embarrassment or severe punishment ("You're grounded without a cell phone for a month!") is counterproductive.

This only teaches the child to be more adept at hiding his history, breaks trust and confirms to him that sexuality is a "dirty" subject that cannot be talked about at home, leaving pornography as his only "educator."

The Impact of Pornography on Affective-Sexual Development

The main risk of pornography is not moral, but neurological and educational.

The adolescent brain is in full development, and mainstream pornography is a high-intensity stimulus (constant novelty, extreme scenarios) that can distort the brain's reward (dopamine) chemistry.

This can generate a tolerance that makes intimacy and real affection seem "boring" by comparison.

Educationally, pornography teaches unrealistic and dangerous sexual scripts.

It presents sexuality as a purely physical, performance act, often focused on male pleasure and, in many cases, normalizing aggression (verbal violence, lack of explicit consent, objectification).

It creates distorted expectations about the body (both one's own and others') and about what an intimate relationship should be like, eliminating the fundamental component of affection, communication and consent.

How to Take Action: Real Sex Education Dialogue

The only effective solution is prevention and dialogue. Parental filters and "safe search" are a useful first barrier to prevent early accidental exposure, but they are not foolproof.

The real "barrier" is a solid affective-sexual education at home.

Parents should step up and be the primary source of information, talking naturally (and age-appropriately) about the body, consent, relationships, and the difference between real intimacy and fiction.

If consumption is discovered, the conversation should be calm and focused on "media literacy."

Instead of an interrogation, a dialogue s