Becoming a parent changes everything. Suddenly sleep is scarce, the couch you once treasured is covered in stains, and fear often creeps into your thoughts.
As the dad of a toddler and a newborn, I know the constant voice of anxiety that whispers: “Be stricter. No, loosen up. Pay closer attention. You’re not doing enough. Try harder…” Parenting is hard—and the older kids get, the higher the stakes.
That’s why research like Barna’s recent survey on teens and pornography is so alarming.
The Reality of Pornography Among Teens and Young Adults
Barna reports that:
-
26% of 12–17 year-olds look at pornography at least weekly.
-
38% of 18–24 year-olds do the same.
These numbers depend on self-reporting, so the real figures may be even higher.
For Christians, the concern isn’t just moral. Pornography:
-
Numbs sensitivity to God’s voice.
-
Promotes a view of sex that is selfish and temporary rather than covenantal and lifelong.
-
Alters the brain itself, as scientific studies show repeated exposure rewires neural pathways.
This is no longer only a conservative Christian concern. Secular outlets from The New York Times to TED Talks have begun raising the same alarm: pornography is harming an entire generation.
Why Young People Don’t See Porn as a Problem
Barna’s study revealed only 32% of 13–24 year-olds believe pornography is “usually or always wrong.” By comparison, more young adults considered not recycling or wasting energy as bigger issues.
Why the disconnect? Older generations are now seeing the long-term effects of internet exposure, while today’s teens are immersed in sexualized content from an early age. The cultural baseline has shifted, and parents are left to guide their children through a digital minefield.
What Parents Can Do
I’m still early in my parenting journey, but my years of ministry with teens and young adults have taught me a few practical lessons.
1. Limit Unmonitored Internet Use
-
Keep devices out of bedrooms.
-
Place household computers in public spaces with screens visible.
-
Use filtering software to block inappropriate sites.
You won’t do this perfectly—and that’s okay. What matters is consistent effort and clear boundaries.
2. Delay Smartphones as Long as Possible
Kids may need a way to contact you, but they don’t need the internet in their pocket. Options include:
-
A flip phone for calls and texts.
-
A smartphone with data disabled.
-
Parental restriction apps that block unapproved sites.
The longer you wait, the more time your child has to mature before facing that temptation.
3. Lean on Prayer—Your Secret Weapon
At the end of the day, we can’t protect our kids from everything. But God can.
Each night before bed, I pray with my children and ask God to shape them into the men He created them to be—sensitive, courageous, kind, passionate, and God-fearing. Prayer doesn’t replace wise parenting; it strengthens it.
As parents, our calling is to be vigilant and faithful, but ultimately to trust God’s power to do what we cannot.
Parenting in a digital age is overwhelming, especially when pornography is just a click away. But we aren’t powerless. By setting boundaries, delaying exposure, and covering our children in prayer, we can walk with confidence knowing they are held in hands far stronger than ours.
