Exposure of children to pornographic content, as asserted by the e-Enfance association, is deemed as "a mental collapse, a blow to the mind."

Exposure of children to pornographic content, as asserted by the e-Enfance association, is deemed as "a mental collapse, a blow to the mind."

Protecting Minors from Adult Content: A Stern Warning

Here's why it's crucial to shield young minds from pornographic sites, as advocated by Justine Atlan, a member of the Arcom's youth committee and director general of the e-Enfance association. On June 6, she spoke frankly on France Inter.

The Challenge in Stopping Minors from Accessing Porn SitesAylo, the parent company behind Youporn and Pornhub, recently suspended its content in France, protesting against age verification requirements.

According to Atlan, the harm comes from the fact that children, at ages as young as 6, 8, or 10, are unable to differentiate the reality from the explicit images they encounter. These scenes, she explains, will be associated with violence, causing deep trauma and a "psychic intrusion" in the child's mind.

This trauma may manifest in various ways. Some children may experience nightmares, overly explicit drawings of sexuality, or engage in disturbing sexual acts with their peers. In schools, these instances often come to light, as children may exhibit inappropriate sexual gestures or re-enact traumatic scenes using toys or words that seem out of place in a child's vocabulary.

The Hidden ThreatPornography's impact on minors is a significant concern, given the vulnerability of their developing brains, mental health, and behavior. Research suggests that early exposure to such content can lead to neurological impairment, addiction, and unhealthy sexual beliefs. Moreover, frequent viewing, particularly of violent and degrading content, has been linked to harmful sexual behaviors and an increased tolerance for sexual violence.

It's important to note that many adult pornographic sites lack effective age verification measures, making it simple for minors to access explicit content online. Taking preventive measures like parental controls, open discussions, digital literacy education, and stricter platform age restrictions can help protect children during crucial developmental periods.

1. In an effort to safeguard the mental health and overall development of minors, parents and educators can advocate for increased digital literacy, especially in subjects like French, science, health-and-wellness, sexual-health, and education-and-self-development to help children navigate the online world more responsibly.
2. Given the vulnerable state of a child's developing brain and mental health, it's crucial to implement stricter age restrictions on adult content websites, as failure to do so may risk exposing minors to potentially harmful content, leading to neurological impairment, addiction, and unhealthy sexual beliefs.
3. To cultivate healthy sexual attitudes and behaviors, it's essential to engage in open discussions about sexual health at home and in the classroom, focusing on promoting mental well-being, respect, and consent, thus empowering minors to make informed decisions as they grow and explore different aspects of life, including French language learning, science studies, and self-development.

Read also: