One in three children view porn on mobile devices

A poll conducted by YoungMinds to mark Safer Internet Day today found that half of the 11- to 14-year-olds who had viewed pornography said that it had affected their relationships.

In total 2,000 young people aged between 11 and 25 were interviewed.

Half of 15- to 17-year-olds said they had viewed pornography either on a tablet or phone.

YoungMinds said the results show that pornography is having a “damaging effect” on young people.

Lucie Russell, director of campaigns at YoungMinds said: “With a couple of clicks children and young people of all ages can now gain access to hardcore, very explicit imagery.

“For many children and young people exposure to online pornography is their sex education – what they see are often violent portrayals of sex that lack the love and respect that young people need in order to understand the key ingredients of healthy sexual relationships.”

Russell said exposure to online pornography is a child protection issue that can result in insecurity, self-esteem issues, shame, anxiety, fear and increased stress and pressure for both boys and girls.

“Parents need easy access to parental controls and resources to help them broach this subject with their children, as it’s really important to keep the channels of communication open,” she added.

“Sex education also has to be updated; at the moment it’s still far too biologically based and doesn’t focus enough on navigating relationships.

“We must ensure children and young people have people they can talk to and places they can go where they can get support 24/7 if they need it.”

YoungMinds has called for clearer ways to report online content that is upsetting and disturbing, and for every school to ensure that young people receive comprehensive sex education that includes guidance on sexting, and help and advice for parents and carers.