The aim of this program is to unpack the impact of pornography and porn culture on young people, equipping and empowering them to make healthy and sustainable choices for their relationships and future. The goal is to promote ‘Shame free, fear free awareness.’
Sections includes video resources, guidance scriptures, testimonies, activities and questions for discussion.
In addition to this web page and the leaders guide, youth and young adults are provided with a web page that includes links and resources.
Pornography has now become the main sex educator for a vast number of youth. To provide an idea of the statistical likelihood of young people being in some way, influenced by pornography, an Australian study published in 2017 found that 69% of boys and 23% of girls have seen pornography by age 13 or younger. This same study found that in the 15-29-year-old age bracket, 84% of young men and 19% of young women watched pornography on a weekly or daily basis. Due to the hardcore, most often violent nature of pornography, youth consumption is resulting in a significant number of harms to their physical and mental health, wellbeing and relationships.
Teens who are regularly accessing pornography can do so at the click of a button as often as they seek it out. In addition, youth are regularly absorbing hypersexualised media messages via digital technology platforms, social media, gaming, music videos, movies, and more. We cannot expect young people to receive enough information to counteract hypersexualised culture from one or even numerous school presentations. As such, it is important that they have regular opportunities to critique the stories that pornography tells them, and ensure they are provided with alternative and accurate information to assist them to resist pornified messages and develop their own pathways for authentic sexual development. So young people can be fully supported, it is vitally important for teachers, parents and carers to be fully informed. Parents can be directed to Culture Reframed and the Office of the eSafety Commissioner – relevant links can be found on the Follow-up Support Links Tab.
The following information is designed to equip facilitators to feel confident with the subject of pornography and equipped to discuss any questions that may arise during delivery of NEW GEN RISING.
This first video is by Liz Walker, Founder and Managing Director of Youth Wellbeing Project. It is an information resource that can be viewed by leaders, utilised as part of a promotional awareness for the need to address this topic in your church, and if desired, viewed by participants in the program. To download this video, access via this link.
Regardless of any personal struggles, Jesus came so that you can be “free indeed”, so determine in your heart to not let the enemy rob you of this truth. Remember:
I am the righteousness of God—I have right standing with Him—in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21)
We recommend these resources be utilised to prepare yourself well:
Pornography is available at the click of a button – it’s incredibly graphic and often violent or abusive. This is having a range of impacts on children and young people. Read more about the statistics and impacts on these websites:
eChildhood
Culture Reframed
Reward Foundation
The Light Project
Is free pornography destroying our brains? is a documentary produced in New Zealand by TV3. The 3D investigative journalist, Phil Vine, spoke to porn users and porn addicts, as well a top international scientist and Youth Wellbeing Project Managing Director, Liz Walker, who say online porn can actually alter our brains.
Viewing this video is recommended for all leaders involved in delivering NEW GEN RISING, however it is also applicable for other leaders within the church. The broader the understanding amongst the church community of pornography impacts, the more likely that consistent messages will be provided.
The video on the left is the full documentary. The video on the right is a short segment which discusses the brain science, recommended for viewing in Section Three.
In addition to this web page and the leaders guide, youth and young adults are provided with a web page that includes links and resources.
The above two video segments by Dr Gail Dines have been extracted from the TEDxNavesink Talk: Growing Up in a Pornified Culture. These short segments have been edited to remove expletives.
#Pornography: “Porn has become a default sex educator for many young people. If we want to help young people to build relationships and sexualities that are respectful, safe, mutually pleasurable and fully consenting, then we must tackle porn's influence.” https://t.co/VNF3QJPnGH
— Dr Michael Flood (@MichaelGLFlood) April 9, 2018
Coming soon…
Video: Porn and Mental health facts (2.53 minutes)
Discussion Questions
A. Which of these facts did you find most surprising and why?
B. Which of these facts did you already know or assume?
Video: Sex in Schools (3.34 minutes)
Discussion Questions
A. What ‘evidence’ of the effects of porn culture on relationships have you seen or witnessed?
B. How might we begin to counteract porn culture? What kind of culture do we want to create? As a youth group, in our church, in our relationships and in our community?
C. Brainstorm some keys to building and sustaining healthy relationships.
The Fight the New Drug website has some wonderful videos and information for youth and young adults. View the video explaining the impact of porn on relationships (found on the main landing page).
Optional: Have young people explore the page unpacking “Sexual tastes are molded by an individual’s experiences and their culture…” –Norman Doidge, PhD and answer the following questions:
i. What issues might this shift in behaviours create for young men?
ii. What issues might this shift in behaviours create for young women?
iii. What issues might this shift in behaviours create for same-sex attracted or gender diverse?
Video: The Porn Factor trailer (1.11 minutes)
Brainstorm: How might we begin to counteract porn culture? What kind of culture do we want to create? As a youth group, as a church, in our relationships and in our community?
Visit Fight the New Drug and explore the section on porn’s impact on broader society.
A. Watch the feature video for this section and then have participants explore the statistics scrolling below the video.
B. What other negative impacts has porn culture had on our broader society? Which of these statistics and findings is most challenging or concerning for you?
The Office of the eSafety Commissioner is an important resource to assist with helping all Australians have safe, positive experiences online.
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.
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 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.
