January 2026: “My child saw p*rnography. What do I do now?”

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.

As we kick off the new year, I’ve set personal intentions to do what feels good — more time spent in nature, reading, with my family and my dog. I hope you and your loved ones are able to find peaceful, screen-free time this year, too. At Culture Reframed, my focus for the year includes strategic planning to support our various programs — vital and exciting work as our community continues to strengthen.

We’re starting the year on an energizing note as I gather with Mandy in San Diego for a conference — a rare and meaningful opportunity for our virtual team to be together in person! As the year unfolds, I’m excited to see our Youth Advisory Council blossom, complemented by an upcoming partnership designed to further uplift young voices (more to come soon).

Thank you for being part of this journey with us — we’re grateful to begin another year with you by our side.

— Maggie Daman
Director of Operations, Culture Reframed

Early exposure to pornography has become almost unavoidable. Young people are accessing it without even trying, and it’s having a major effect on their developing minds. It’s no wonder that parents, caregivers, and the professionals who support them feel concerned, overwhelmed, and unsure of how to help.

In the first installment of our “Ask Us Anything” series, our team of experts answers your specific questions, such as:

• Is homeschooling the only way to protect a 10-year-old from being exposed to pornography?
• What are some of the ways parents can monitor what their children are viewing on their phones?
• How can parents set boundaries within this topic without shaming their children and creating secrecy?

Our team is excited to be together in person in San Diego this week for the 41st Annual International Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment. The event creates opportunities for collaboration and multidisciplinary interaction to develop and enhance professional skills and knowledge in the prevention, recognition, assessment, and investigation of all forms of child and family maltreatment. Dr. Mandy Sanchez presented “Growing Up in a Porn Culture: The Harms to Youth & New Resources for CACs.”

Do you know a group that could benefit from a Culture Reframed presentation? Our expert speakers are available to book! We share science-backed solutions with audiences, including:

• Educators
• Parents
• Healthcare professionals
• Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs)

When it comes to sexualized social media (think TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc), exposure is only part of the issue.

What teens do with these messages — how they absorb them, compare themselves to them, and interpret them — shapes their developing ideas about sexuality, relationships, and identity. Some key messages teens pick up from their algorithm include:

Body Image & Attractiveness

Highly curated bodies and sexualized trends can make teens feel like their worth depends on appearance. Research links this exposure to increased body comparison and self-objectification, especially for girls.

Consent, Boundaries, and What “Normal” Looks Like

Most sexualized content that teens encounter lacks any mention of consent or communication. Without guidance, young people may mistake these portrayals for examples of what dating or intimacy should look like.

Scripts for Relationships

Trends about “body counts,” “hookup rules,” or attractiveness rankings send strong messages about what gives someone value. Because algorithms amplify engaging content, these scripts can feel universal, even though they’re unrealistic, limiting, or unhealthy.

Musk’s Chatbot Flooded X With Millions of Sexualized Images in Days, New Estimates Show (The New York Times)

Starting in late December, users on the social media platform inundated the chatbot’s X account with requests to create nonconsensual sexualized images of women and children. Read more.

Therapists Who Work With Addiction Report Rise in Out-of-Control Porn Use by Men (The Guardian)

The survey finds a growing number ‘neglecting responsibilities’ or ‘damaging relationships’ as a result of pornography addiction. Read more.

The Best Parental Control Software for 2026 (PC Mag)

Read the pros and cons of different tools to monitor kids’ devices. Read more.

Meta Tolerates Rampant Ad Fraud From China to Safeguard Billions in Revenue (Reuters)

A Reuters investigation reveals that 19% of Meta’s advertising from China in 2024 — more than $3 billion — came from ads for pornography and other banned content. Read more.

Sexting — sending sexually explicit messages or images via text — has become a regular occurrence for many young people. Young people may be unaware of the serious consequences that sexting poses. Access our free, easy-to-share fact sheet to understand the risks and read our expert tips on talking to your kids about sexting.

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