Want more info or need to find help? Learning accurate information about tricky topics can be one of the best ways to gain perspective, feel more empowered, take control of boundaries and choose positive behaviours. Building connected relationships in an online world takes effort and it’s not always easy, so it can also be helpful to remember these 2 rules:

  1. We all have the right to feel safe all the time, and
  2. We can talk with someone about anything

Disclaimer: If questions or concerns arise from content found this webpage, adult/parental/carer involvement is recommended. Youth Wellbeing Project is not responsible for information or links found on other sites—videos or links provided on this website are a suggested starting point to find information, help and support.

We encourage young people to reach out to support networks for guidance specific to their circumstances and further information.

Office of the eSafety Commissioner

The eSafety Commissioner website is an important resource to assist with helping all Australians have safe, positive experiences online.

  • Report cyberbullying
    If you are under 18 you can make a complaint about cyberbullying or online bullying. A child’s parent, legal guardian, or someone authorised by the child is also able to submit a cyberbullying complaint.
  • Report image-based abuse
    If an intimate image has been shared, or someone is threatening to share it, without your consent, you can make a report no matter what your age.
  • Young & eSafe
    Practical advice by young people, for young people to challenge haters and fakers online.
  • Report offensive and illegal content
    The Cyber Report team investigates complaints about offensive and illegal online content, including online child sexual abuse material.

Kids Helpline

For ages 5–25, Kids Helpline provides free and confidential online and phone counselling 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 55 1800.

Bravehearts

Turning Corners – A program initiative of Bravehearts that provides a comprehensive and integrated response to working with young people (12 years to under 18 years of age) who have or are at risk of engaging in harmful sexual behaviour. Turning Corners welcomes referrals from external support agencies, parents or self-referral by a young person. Learn more by watching this video.

eHeadspace

eHeadspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people aged 12-25 and their families and friends. It’s available 9am – 1am (Melbourne time) 7 days a week for a 1-on-1 chat. It’s a confidential, free and safe space to talk about what’s going on.

Is free pornography destroying our brains? School kids today are watching porn like never before. It’s free, it’s instant and it’s having a devastating effect. New Zealand TV3 current affairs program 3D has spoken to porn users and porn addicts, as well as a sex educator Liz Walker, and a top international scientist who say this new type of porn can actually alter our brains.

Fortify Program is designed to equip individuals struggling with compulsive pornography use – young and old – with tools, education and community to assist them in reaching lasting freedom. Their mission is to help spark an uprising of people tired of porn messing with their lives – and ready for something far better. The perfect tool help change behaviour – free for youth aged 13-17. Affordable for those aged 18 and over.

Fortify Program with Apple and Android apps.

Brain Buddy app: Reboot your brain. Reboot your life.

Safe Surfer – Protect all devices connected to your Home WiFi and your mobile devices with Safe Surfer.

XBlock Porn Blocker – Safe Browsing in Safari by Blocking Millions of Porn Sites and Filtering Explicit Content. Only on iOS.

rTribe – Online counseling, coaching, and healing in community.

Searching for a porn addiction forum online can also be a good way to find help and join a community of other porn users trying to quit (join a subthread of similar-aged young people). Plus, remember that your school counsellor, chaplain or health nurse can be a fabulous person to connect with, and check out the support services on the first tab.

MORE FILTERS, APPS & RECOVERY RESOURCES

Tips for Assertive Communication

Sex & U

Your trusted resource for sexual and reproductive health

Youth Law Australia

Providing free, confidential legal information & help for young people under 25

Why are we talking about porn?

There’s no denying that porn is everywhere … whether you see it over a mate’s shoulder, in a pop up or watch it on your phone, it’s just a click away. But while most young people have seen at least some porn and are usually chilled about it, it’s fair to say most adults feel pretty awkward when it comes to talking about it. So, The Light Project decided it was time to start the conversation…

Stop the rise of STIs

Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are common and increasing in Australia, including Queensland. Keep yourself safe, healthy and sexy with regular testing, protection and correct sexual health information.

The Clitoris: A Reveal Two Millennia in the Making

In the history of sexual anatomy, the clitoris has long been dismissed, demeaned and misunderstood. Here is a view of the clitoris you’ve probably never seen.

Sexual Assault Helpline

Sexual assault is never your fault. Sexual assault is a crime!

The Queensland Sexual Assault Line is available between 7.30am and 11.30pm, 7 days. It offers telephone support and counselling to anyone – women, men and young people – who have been sexually assaulted or abused and for anyone who is concerned or suspects someone they care about might have been assaulted or abused.

Ways porn harms children & young people 

  • Porn is controversial because it’s divisive. There’s ‘Pro-Porn’ and ‘Anti-Porn’ sides. It’s as oppositional, if not more, as any other ‘pro’ or ‘anti’ discussion. – Liz Walker

  • Pornography is accessible, affordable, anonymous and addictive. A growing number of neuroscience studies show how an overactive reward system can result in addiction.

  • “Porn is now the most prominent form of sexuality education for many young people; it is shaping young people’s sexual understandings and expectations in ways unprecedented.” – Maree Crabbe

  • Research suggests that adolescents who use Internet porn have lower degrees of social integration, increases in conduct problems, higher levels of delinquent behaviour, higher incidence of depressive symptoms, and decreased emotional bonding with caregivers.

  • As the porn industry continues to grow, clinicians report that an increasing number of individuals are seeking out help to deal with sexual and relational difficulties associated with pornography use.

  • Pornography is linked to increases in negative attitude to women, decreases in empathy for victims of sexual violence, and increases in dominating and sexually-imposing behaviour.

  • “The increasing sexualisation of children and their exposure to inappropriate sexual content is of significant concern and is closely linked to the occurrence of Problem Sexualised Behaviours.” – Sexual Assault Support Service

  • A study on the consequences of exposure to Internet pornography for early adolescent boys’ academic performance indicates that increased use of Internet pornography decreased boys’ academic performance six months later.

  • Numerous studies reveal links between porn use and sexual dysfunctions, including porn-induced erectile dysfunction, low desire, and sexual & relationship dissatisfaction. Negative effects are often reversed by stopping Internet porn use.

#AskYourself

“Ask the right questions if you’re going to find the right answers.”

– Vanessa Redgraves

What do you face that you don’t always want to tell your parents? Peer pressures? Unexpected pregnancy? Sexting? And what about porn? There’s loads of mixed messages about sex and sexuality, but what messages will be helpful for you to live your best life?

When it comes to sexual wellbeing, you’ve got to be switched on. There’s a price for buying into the hyper-sexed messages thrust upon us through media, music clips, magazines and hard-core porn.

So how can you navigate life well? Be willing to ask lots of questions about what is best for YOU so that you can have healthy relationships, rather than swallowing everything that culture brings your way.   Life, love and relationships… empower yourself by considering the deeper aspects of who you are and how this relates to life, sexuality, image and harmony with others.

The Ask Yourself series was motivated by the Journal Article: Healthy Sexual Development: A Multidisciplinary Framework for Research