- Research reveals: A significant number of children have encountered pornography and engaged in sexting activities.
Young folks in Germany, even some minors, have had encounters with pornography or sexting, as per a study. Approximately 42% of the 3,000 participants aged 11 to 17 across the nation admitted to watching an adult film, according to a survey conducted by the North Rhine-Westphalia media supervision. This is a significant rise from the 35% reported last year. The most alarming aspect is the surge in this percentage among the youngest age group - those aged 11 to 13.
"Porn isn't designed for kids. However, nowadays, children and adolescents are exposed to it before they reach maturity, and it's not just that; they're also beginning to create and share explicit material themselves," the media supervision stated. This practice of sexting is indeed prevalent: 25% of the participants admitted to receiving sexually explicit messages, nude images, videos, or explicit emojis.
It's challenging for parents or educators to comprehend how effortlessly children and young adults can access pornographic content and, more importantly, distribute such material online, stated director Tobias Schmid. "But the study clearly shows this is happening. We're faced with the task of protecting minors." The first encounter with these types of content often occurs unintentionally or by chance.
The concern over the exposure of children to adult content has led some members of The Community to advocate for stricter online safety measures. Parents and educators within The Community are seeking ways to educate children about the risks associated with viewing and sharing explicit material.
