One disadvantage of internet use for kids is that they might come across pornography and other graphic sexual content that might give them the wrong impression, information and knowledge about the purpose and nature of sex. It is, therefore, important for parents to talk with their kids about sex instead of the internet providing the kids with wrong and malicious information about sex.
According to Yahoo Parenting via a report from Psychology Today, children as young as 8 or 9 years old are exposed to internet porn and graphic sexual content from other forms of media. It also reported about a national study posted in Kaiser Family Foundation that finds 7 out of 10 kids that came across online pornography only by accident. "In other words, kids who search for images on Google for school projects stumble upon censored, explicit sex pictures about 70 percent of the time," said the report.
The negative effects of early exposure to online pornography include engaging in sexual intercourse at a young age to imitate what they have seen; practicing risky sexual behaviors like unprotected sex or having multiple partners; and being addicted to sex, love, and being in relationships, according to Psychology today.
Likewise, it reiterated the most effective thing to do for parents is to communicate with their kids about sex in an age-appropriate manner. Parents should talk with their kids about setting appropriate time limits on the use of different forms of media especially the internet, the values and expectations on sex and relationships, the accuracy and intent of the sexual content from the internet and other forms of media.
"Having open communications with children about sex and other matters is healthy and safer in the long run. This does not necessarily mean it will be easy or without awkward moments. However, speaking about sex early increases the chance that teens will approach parents when difficult or dangerous things come up," About Kids Health wrote -- highlighting the benefits of parents talking with their kids about sex.
