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Friday, January 10, 2020

Porn In Your Pocket: Why My Kids Don't Have A Smartphone



This is my son's phone.


It is a simple tracfone that costs us $5 to buy at Family Dollar, and $19 every 90 days to put minutes on. He can text me and call, but it has no camera, no internet, and can not receive pictures.  It is also used often to call my phone when it's lost! Tracfone can also be bought on Amazon or at Walmart.


One of my friends calls smart phones "porn in your pocket". While it sounds crass, it's also extremely accurate.  No human being is above temptation, and for me to think my "good kid" is immune to one of the most addicting substances on this planet (brain chemistry of porn addiction is just scary) is frankly naive.

I can't shield my kids from all evil in this world, but while they are still impressionable preteen boys, I can withhold the ability to have porn in their pocket.

If your kids have a smartphone, that is 100% your decision. Do what works for your family. Whatever you choose, be vigilant, but the answer to the question, "When should I give my child a smartphone?" is "Whenever you're ready for them to view pornography."

 For more info on how statistics support this fact (even with smartphone parental controls), and how science proves the neurological harm of pornography, see Fight the New Drug.


EDITED TO ADD:
Some people have responded to this post  with the false assumption that restricting access to porn is our ONLY line or defense. Protection isn't a choice between restriction OR conversation, it's BOTH. We restrict their access to porn during a time of life where they have low impulse control, but we also have a lot of conversations about sex, lust, and pornography. Openness about sex is the most important way to protect your children. If you'd like books to help start the conversation, see my blog post about Christian books to read with your kids about sex. 

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