September 2024: Parenting in a Pornified Culture

Culture Reframed is the premier science-based, global organization working to stop the emotional, behavioral, and sexual harms of pornography to children and youth. Join our online community to receive updates on our work, announcements of upcoming events, and the latest news related to pornography and youth.

This month’s newsletter is full of resources to help you guide young people to build resilience to hypersexualized media and pornography. As we enter back-to-school season, our team put together a helpful list of free resources for parents and educators to help young people navigate the ever-changing, often scary online world.

I recently had the opportunity to join the Healthy Screen Habits podcast, where I shared advice for parents navigating conversations about pornography in today’s hypersexualized media environment. If you’re looking for ways to engage your kids in open, honest dialogue, I encourage you to tune in.

I also recommend our latest report, “Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and Pornography: How Misogyny Constrains the Future,” which explores the harmful ways emerging technologies are impacting society, particularly women and girls.

You’ll find all of these resources — and more — below!

Finally, if you haven’t already, please save the date for our international virtual conference, “Breaking Down Silos,” on December 5 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. We’re bringing together professionals from around the world to combat the harms of pornography on young people. I look forward to seeing you there!

— Dr. Mandy Sanchez
Director of Programming, Culture Reframed

With more schools issuing tablets and laptops to students and integrating devices into education, time in the classroom can also mean more screen time for many young people — and increased risk of exposure to the hypersexualized media and pornography that is easily accessible from any device with an internet connection. With back-to-school season in mind, Culture Reframed created a list of free resources to ensure the online safety of young people of all ages in the digital spaces they are learning to navigate.

While artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) are demonstrating promise as tools for discovery and efficiency, they also are being employed in harmful ways, such as perpetuating predatory practices on women and girls and amplifying the societal harms of pornography. The far-reaching effects of these technologies — on individuals and society as a whole — are outlined in a new research report, “Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and Pornography: How Misogyny Constrains the Future.”

Dr. Mandy Sanchez joined the Healthy Screen Habits podcast to talk about Culture Reframed and share why we created the Porn Critical Sex Education Curriculum, a free resource designed for educators of children 14+. Their insightful discussion ranges from practical advice on how to have open, honest, and regular conversations with kids about pornography to examples of hypersexualized media in the lives of youth and the lessons they’ve learned from their own children.

Save the Date for Culture Reframed’s 2024 International Virtual Conference

December 5 | Virtual

Our international virtual conference, Breaking Down Silos: Addressing the Harms of Pornified Media on Youth, will convene the widespread, dedicated community of passionate individuals around the world who, like us, are working tirelessly to counter the effects of hypersexualized media and porn on young people. We invite you to join us and many of our colleagues on Thursday, December 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET for a groundbreaking international virtual conference to help us build coalitions for action against the harms of pornography.

Mark the date on your calendar and check your inbox for further information. Registration opens next month!

Alarming Decline in Adolescent Condom Use, Increased Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Unintended Pregnancies, Reveals New WHO Report

A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe reveals staggering rates of unprotected sex in adolescents, citing a significant decline in condom use since 2014. A lack of comprehensive sex ed has put youth at risk for unplanned pregnancy and STIs. Read more.

Abstinence-Only Sex Education Linked to Higher Pornography Use Among Women (PsyPost)

New research reveals that women who receive abstinence-only sex ed tend to consume more pornography, demonstrating that educational gaps in information lead to reliance on harmful sources like pornography. The research also reported a significant portion of women were first exposed to pornography under 15 years old, and as early as 4 years old. Read more.

Instagram, Facing Pressure Over Child Safety Online, Unveils Sweeping Changes (New York Times)

Instagram’s recent overhaul of the social media platform integrates safety measures for users under 18, including default privacy settings, supervision tools for adults, and stopping notifications during sleep hours. Read more.

Culture Reframed offers two free courses, “Parents of Teens” and “Parents of Tweens,” available online 24/7 with topics that provide skills to build young people’s resilience and resistance to hypersexualized culture and the impacts of pornography.

Sign up here to receive updates on our work, announcements of upcoming events, and the latest news related to pornography and youth