Pornography use among teens…..a developmental issue, not simply a moral issue.

For many years, religious organizations were at the forefront of championing the cause of vilifying pornography and suggesting that its influence was immoral and destructive.  This has led to the erroneous belief among many, that pornography use is a “moral” or a “religious issue’.  While it is clear that pornography can be highly destructive to one’s spirituality and morality, increasing evidence suggests that pornography can be disruptive to child and teen development in a variety of areas.

The paradigm regarding pornography use, particularly its impact on children and teens, needs to shift toward the problem not simply being a moral issue, but rather a developmental issue with potential long-lasting negative consequences.

The following are noted characteristics that have been found in teens who have developed a habit of regularly viewing pornography:

• Viewing and/or masturbating to internet pornography on a daily basis.

Staying up late at night to be alone to view pornography and then having trouble waking up for school.

• Loss of interest in school and extracurricular activities.

• Diminished interest in socialization and outside activity with peers including dating.

• Secrecy with behavior, particularly with technology, and increased isolation including long periods of time alone in their bedroom with the door locked.

• Pattern of lying to parents and other adults about on-line activities including deleting browser history, viruses on computers, etc.

• A diminished empathy toward others and lack of interest in family activities.

• Development of hypersexual attitude, language and possible sexually inappropriate interests.

Each of these characteristics along with a host of other unmentioned characteristics impede the developmental process of youth who become addicted to pornography.  Those youth who become addicted to pornography are typically unable to break free from the addiction on their own.  In many cases, the addiction is kept secret and continues into adulthood and eventually becomes a contributor to depression, marital problems and legal problems.

The good news is that youth who become addicted and get help, are able to break free from the addiction.

Viewing the problem as a developmental issue, rather than simply a moral issue is an important first step.  Educating parents and professionals about the importance of screening for possible addiction comes next. Then, developing and implementing treatment options specific to children and teens who have become addicted becomes the focus.

Does use of pornography contribute to sexual offending behavior in teens?

In a recent study in Washington County, Utah in cases involving juvenile sexual offenses, it was found that 51 of the 76 cases studied involved the juvenile perpetrator viewing pornography on multiple occasions prior to the offense occurring.

As part of the evaluation process for determining the risk of future offending and need for treatment, juvenile offenders were asked to disclose their use of pornography prior to the sexual offenses occurring.   51 of the 76 youth who were interviewed admitted that they had viewed pornography on multiple occasions prior to engaging in the sexual offending behaviors.

These findings are significant as this data suggests that the use of pornography may be a factor that contributes to sexual offending behavior in teens.  The study does not suggest that every youth who views pornography will engage in sexual offending behaviors, but it does suggest that youth who view pornography may pose a greater risk to engaging in sexual offending behavior.

While there are a variety of factors that contribute to juvenile sexual offending behaviors, the use of pornography by the perpetrator is a factor that should be given increased attention and should be adequately addressed in treatment.  Because of the infiltration of pornography into our society, particularly among youth, and along with the vulnerability of being impacted by pornography, a growing number of teens are finding themselves involved in the legal system due to sexual acting out behaviors.

Many of these youth have no prior criminal history, do not have pedophilic tendencies, do not display other sexually deviant behaviors and do not demonstrate anti-social tendencies, but yet, because of having committed a sexual offense are being placed in treatment settings designed for juvenile sexual offenders who present as more “traditional” sexual offenders.

The most prominent conclusion from this small study:  While certainly teen sexual offending behaviors need to be prosecuted and treated, there also needs to be increased consideration given to the need for assessing and treating this new generation of offenders in a manner that will be most effective and get to the core of the issues, which in many cases involves treating an addiction to pornography.  In addition to the already well-established tenants of sexual offender treatment, juvenile sexual offenses treatment should also include assessment and intervention for potential addiction to pornography.

Q&A: I am worried that my son has developed an addiction to pornography, but he is such a good kid, I am hesitant to have him participate as I worry he may be exposed to youth with deeper problems.

It has been our experience that the vast majority of teens and young adults who pursue treatment for pornography addiction are good kids with a strong desire to uphold strong moral standards.  Their inability to shake the habit of viewing pornography weighs heavily on their conscious and this is a primary motivator for participating in the program.  Many of the youth who have participated in the program have been LDS youth who are working toward serving a mission or returned missionaries who have slipped back into the addiction.

Youth who lack a desire to live a morally clean life or uphold high standards typically do not pursue treatment for pornography addiction.  They simply do not see a problem with viewing pornography and are in denial regarding the destructive influence that pornography has on their thinking and behavior.  It is difficult to compel a youth who does not see a problem with viewing pornography to engage in a recovery problem for pornography addiction.

Our experience has been the opposite in terms of problems resulting from youth being exposed to other youth with more problematic behaviors.  Exposure to other youth in the program actually proves to be helpful and not harmful as group members’ support and strengthen each other in their efforts to achieve a recovery from the addiction.  It also is helpful for youth to recognize that they are not alone in their battle with the addiction, but that other young people who are also “good kids” are struggling with the same issue.

Q&A: My son has been clean from pornography for several months without professional help. What benefit is there for him to participate in the program?

It sounds like your son is making progress and it is encouraging that he has been able to refrain from using pornography for several months. The Mending The Armor program can still be of great benefit to your son as we want to assure that all youth who participate in the program are able to achieve a long-term recovery from pornography addiction and not simply be “abstinent” for a period of time. Breaking an addiction to pornography can be difficult and often times can involve multiple periods of abstinence followed by relapses. We believe there is a difference between “abstinence” and “recovery”.

It has been our experience that many youth are able to refrain from viewing pornography by using will power alone for a period of time, but that unfortunately, too many eventually relapse back into the addiction. This happens with some young men who refrain from viewing pornography to become worthy to serve a mission, but with the stresses and demands of missionary life, begin to struggle again with the addiction while serving. This also happens with some returned missionaries who have been able to remain abstinent while on their missions, but upon returning home and reintegrating into society, become vulnerable and return to the addiction. For many adults attempting to overcome the addiction, their pornography addiction has been a life-long issue and only after years of failed attempts, have realized that they can’t do it on their own and need professional help. The Mending The Armor program is designed to help young people learn to manage the addiction while they are still young, so they can avoid having to deal with the problem later in life.

“Abstinence” is defined as simply refraining from the use of pornography through will power, while “recovery” refers to the acquisition of the insight to understand the origins, cycle and underlying issues that accompany the addiction along with the skills to manage the emotions that drive the addiction.

Youth who complete the program are provided professional clinical intervention to assist them in identifying the origins of the addiction, the cycle of the addiction, the underlying emotional issues that drive the addiction and assistance in the creation of a recovery plan. The recovery plan then serves as a long-term guide for effective management of a proclivity toward using pornography. Completing the Mending The Armor program serves as an important tool beyond simply “will power” for helping youth to overcome pornography addiction.

Pornography Addiction Treatment for Teens and Young Adults now Available in Rexburg, Idaho

The Mending The Armor Program offering treatment for pornography addiction for LDS teens and young adults is now available in Rexburg, Idaho through Centerpoint Counseling. This office serves the Teton and Upper Snake River Valley.  Geoff Winfree has helped hundreds of individuals and families while in private practice since 1997 and has supervised other clinicians since 1999. He provides counseling to individuals, couples, and families using a brief systems approach. Geoff helps address a wide array of issues including depression, addiction and substance abuse, pornography, eating disorders, suicidal impulses, stress management, problems with self-esteem, issues associated with aging, job and career concerns, educational decisions, issues related to mental and emotional health, and family, parenting, and marital or other relationship problems. Geoff’s current work includes:

• Adjunct Faculty Member of Brigham Young University-Idaho in the Home and Family Department;
• Contracted Mental Health Provider for the Brigham Young University-Idaho Counsling Center;
• Clinician for Upper Valley Resoures and Counseling Services;
• Clinical Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Theraists;
• Member of the Association of Mormon Counselors and Psycholotherapists;
• Professional Lecturer;
• Licensed in Idaho and Oregon.
• Clinical Therapist at Vista Health Center, Idaho Falls, ID

Brandon has been working therapeutically with individuals, couples, and families since 2005. He has worked in various settings that include: residential, home-based and outpatient. His experience includes work with children, adolescents, adults and couples. This experience covers a broad range of issues, including parenting, marital, pre-marital and family conflicts. His extensive training and education allow him to address issues such as attention-deficit, defiance, adoption issues, depression, anxiety, grief, anger management, marital and pre-marital satisfaction, sex addiction, couple sexual dysfunction, traumatic events and childhood physical, emotional and sexual abuse.  Brandon has received specific training in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and IRRT (Information Rescripting and Reprocessing Therapy), which allow him to assist individuals, couples and families who have experienced trauma events such as: physical, sexual or emotional abuse, life-threatening situations or significant losses. Brandon’s current work includes:

• Clinical Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
• Clinical Member of the Idaho Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
• Licensed in both Idaho and Utah
• Serving on the Conference Committee for the Idaho Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.