4 Impacts of Pornography on Children and Adolescents - Children are now more easily exposed to pornography. Last week, a husband and wife made a scene by showing sex scenes in front of their children by paying Rp 5,000. Not to mention digital pornographic content which is increasingly accessible to children through smartphones.
Exposure to pornography can have a negative impact on children. What are the dangers?
1. Addicted
Various pornographic content that appears through advertisements, social media, games, films, video clips, or spectacles above will initially arouse curiosity in children, even when they accidentally see it. This curiosity is what drives children to see more other pornographic content.
In addition, this addiction is triggered by the release of the hormone dopamine in the brain so that it will cause feelings of happiness when watching pornographic content. If it is not immediately prevented, it is not impossible that addiction to pornographic content can occur in children.
2. Damage the brain
Pornography can damage a child's brain, precisely in one part of the forebrain called the Pre Frontal Cortex (PFC). This is because the part of the PFC in the child's brain is not yet fully mature. If this part of the brain is damaged, it can result in decreased concentration, difficulty understanding right and wrong, difficulty thinking critically, difficulty holding back, difficulty delaying gratification, and difficulty planning for the future.
3. Willingness to try and imitate
Another impact that children feel after viewing pornography is the desire to try and imitate. This is related to the influence of mirror neurons. Mirror neurons are brain cells that are able to make children feel or experience what they are watching, including pornography. This can encourage the child to try and imitate what he sees.
4. Start sexual acts
If not supervised, children who are exposed to pornography may try to engage in sexual acts to overcome their curiosity. Especially if they are teenagers, if they are not given a good sexual education and understanding, the desire to perform sexual acts is difficult to prevent.
When children begin to recognize pornography, parents must do various things in providing an understanding of the dangers of pornography and an understanding of their sexual organs, not even criticizing it. In addition to sex education, parents also need to introduce the dangers of pornography and limit access to cellphones.