On July 21st, David Cameron again highlighted the alarming growth of indecent and pornographic images available online. Mr Cameron has become increasingly concerned as a father as well as the British PM about the increase of internet porn. He is challenging tech and telecom companies to do more to prevent images being posted.
Choices Aberdeen welcomes the pressure the PM is placing on these media giants. However, with the average age for first exposure to pornography being 11 years and a third of all teenagers saying they learn about sex by watching porn1, we believe it is also essential that young people are given the opportunity to consider and challenge the values portrayed by the industry.
Choices Aberdeen is working with young people in Aberdeen city to dispel the myths and unhealthy notions that pornography propagates about sex and gender stereotypes. These interventions piloted last year in the city have proved to be popular with young people, providing them with a forum to debate this often controversial subject in a relevant and engaging way.
Choices Aberdeen believes that young people deserve creative, high quality education on sex and sexuality, pornography is a poor and indeed dangerous sex educator.
1YouGov ‘Sex Education’ Survey http://sexperienceuk.channel4.com/teen-sex-survey
