Basically . . . porn is everywhere

This is the title of the latest report from the office of the Children's Commissioner. They undertook it because it emerged in the work for their previous report, on Child Sexual Exploitation by gangs and groups, that many of the boys and young man who became involved in police enquiries had spoken of their use of pornography.

Their findings are, in summary:

1  A significant proportion of children and young people are exposed to or access pornography;

2  Children and young people’s exposure and access to pornography occur both online and offline;

3  Exposure and access to pornography appear to increase with age;

4  Exposure is more prevalent than (ostensibly) deliberate access;

5  There are gender differences in exposure and access to pornography;

 

6 Access and exposure to pornography affect children and young people’s sexual beliefs;

 

7  Access and exposure to pornography are linked to children and young people’s engagement in “risky behaviours”;

 

8  Exposure to sexualised and violent imagery affects children and young people.

Arising from this are several recommendations, mostly relating to the need for good education in sex and relationships.

I went to a conference on this subject before the report came out, and I was particularly struck by the remark of the presenter, who herself had a teenage son. He had expressed some interest in pornography, to which her response was: 'Do you really want to hand over control of your sexual life to commercial interests?' He later admitted that her remark 'had really killed it' for him.

You can see the report at http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_667