ONLINE SAFETY, PORN AND PARENTING
Navigating an increasingly digital and hyper-sexualized culture whether as concerned individuals or as parents can feel overwhelming. However, we believe that with the right tools in our toolbox, we can confidently walk forward with awareness and raise children who are resilient and informed at age-appropriate levels about the world around them. We hope and pray that the following resources equip you to engage in meaningful conversations with the friends, loved ones, children and families in your life!
Please note, due to the nature of this topic and the dangers posed by the internet, some of the following content contains graphic information that could be triggering to some. Content marked with an asterisk* should be read or viewed with caution.
Resources
FOR ADULTS:
ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW
Titania Jordan - Chief Parent Officer @ Bark Technologies
1000 Hours Outside - A Movement to Reclaim Childhood
Dopamind Kids - Navigating Tech In A Digital Age
Be Screen Strong - Prevent and Reverse Children’s Dependence on Screens
Exodus Cry - Anti-Trafficking & Anti-Porn Organization
Protect Young Eyes - Practical Digital Tips for Families
Consent Parenting - Educating parents and reducing the risk of sexual abuse
Wait Until 8th - Helping Parents Delay Smartphone Use
ARTICLES
*A Sextortion Story - Thorn Article
Sextortion: Prevention & Response - Discussion Guide from Thorn
How to Protect Your Children From Online Sexual Predators - New York Times Article
7 Ways to Combat Parenting Guilt - Bark Article
8 Ways You Can Support Someone While They Quit Porn - Fight The New Drug Article
How to Bring Up Porn’s Harms in These 5 Everyday Conversations - Fight The New Drug Article
National Center on Sexual Exploitation Dirty Dozen List - The Dirty Dozen List is an annual campaign calling out twelve mainstream entities for facilitating, enabling, and even profiting from sexual abuse and exploitation.
Let Your Children Be Bored - Huffington Post
Get Tech Out of The Classroom Before It’s Too Late - New York Times
VIDEOS
Brain, Heart, World Documentary Series - Fight the New Drug
*Raised on Porn - Exodus Cry
*Social Media Dangers Exposed by Mom Posing as 11-Year-Old - Bark Youtube Video
PODCASTS
1000 Hours Outside podcast with Joey Odom - Co-Founder of Aro - “We are scrolling our lives away.”
Dopamind Kids episode with Titania Jordan - Bark - “Safety Concerns with Popular Kid Apps”
Screenstrong Families Podcast with Dr. Leonard Sax - Family Physician and Psychologist - “Tik Tok: It’s all in the Algorithm.”
BOOKS
Girls Like Us - Rachel Lloyd
In Pursuit of Love - Rebecca Bender
*PornLand: How Porn Has Hijacked Our Sexuality - Dr. Gail Dines
The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place - Andy Crouch
Take Back Your Family: From the Tyrants of Burnout, Busyness, Individualism, and the Nuclear Ideal - Jefferson Bethke
Parenting Generation Screen: Guiding Your Kids to Be Wise in a Digital World - Jonathan McKee
The Anxious Generation - Jonathan Haidt
FOR KIDS
BOOKS
What Do I Do With Worry? - Dr. Josh Straub + Christi Straub
What Am I Feeling? - Dr. Josh Straub + Christi Straub
Good Pictures Bad Pictures - Kristen A. Jenson
Ages 7-12
Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr - Kristen A. Jenson
Ages 3-6
How Much Is A Little Girl Worth? - Rachel Denhollander
How Much Is A Little Boy Worth? Rachel Denhollander, Jacob Denhollander
FOR FAMILIES
APPS + SOFTWARE
Aro - In-Home Digital Wellbeing Solution
Canopy - Protect Your Children in the Digital Age
Bark - Parental Control App
BOOKS
Homegrown Family Devotional - Dr. Josh Defend Young MindsStraub + Christi Straub
Kids Brains & Screens (KBS) - Books & Resources for Kids, Parents, and Schools
CURRICULUM
Defend Young Minds - Teach kids to reject porn before it becomes a problem
Culture Reframed - Building Resilience & Resistance to Hyper-Sexualized Media & Porn
OTHER
Curious Parenting Tech Talk Guide ($5)
Curious Parenting Strange Behavior Guide (Free)
APPS THAT SHOULD CONCERN PARENTS
Discord
TikTok
Steam
Instagram
Fortnite
Worst Apps:
Kick
Snapchat
Roblox
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Below are some ideas for starter questions varying from playful to intentional surrounding technology and internet safety. Please use your best judgment for which questions are appropriate for which ages.
What was one kind thing you saw someone do today?
What surprised you today?
What was a big problem you had today and how did you work on solving it?
What’s one thing you’re proud of yourself for?
Who is someone who makes you feel safe?
What is something that made you laugh today?
Should you treat people differently online than in the real world?
If someone says something online that makes you feel upset or uncomfortable, what should you do? What should you do if someone asks to meet you in person?
What do you use your phone for the most? Can you show me some of your favorite apps?
Which websites do you enjoy using and why?