The Alarming Impact of Underage Pornography Access on Youth Development

With the internet becoming an integral part of modern life, children and teenagers now have unprecedented access to pornography. A recent report, released by the Wheatley Institute and the Institute for Family Studies, sheds light on the troubling trends of underage pornography consumption and its profound implications for youth development. The study indicates that most children are exposed to pornographic content before they turn 18, with habitual use among adolescents increasing at alarming rates.

Research has documented a myriad of detrimental effects that this exposure can have on young minds. These include heightened mental health issues, distorted notions of sexuality, increased aggression, potential addiction to sexual content, and a decline in the stability of future relationships.

The findings presented in this report were initially part of an amicus brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case focused on the necessity for age verification on platforms that could potentially expose minors to harmful material. The report, entitled "Unprotected from Porn: The Rise of Underage Pornography Use and the Ways it is Harming Our Children," delves deep into this pressing issue.

Current Trends in Underage Pornography Use

The report reveals a stark reality: today’s youth encounter severe forms of pornography more than any previous generation. The documentary evidence suggests that many forms of sexual media available online are not just graphic, but they often portray extreme acts, including violence and coercive sexual behavior.

Jason Carroll, Director of the Family Initiative at the Wheatley Institute, states that the core issue lies in how accessible explicit content is to underage viewers. Despite being labeled for