Studies show that managing technology and social media are among the top challenges facing today’s teens.

They are the tail end of the millennials, a group that is more tech savvy and socially connected than previous generations. But they are also among the most distracted. They are constantly bombarded by competing messages and find it difficult to know where to turn their attention at any given moment. And although they are more socially connected, many haven’t learned how to manage healthy in-person relationships.

Along with the benefits of technology and Internet access comes increasingly easy access to pornography.  Children may encounter it as young as age 7. Before they graduate high school, nearly all teens have seen pornography and many have become addicted to watching it. The images portrayed in pornography portray a fantasy that is unfounded in reality. They show exaggerated masculinity, exaggerated femininity, and sex without consequence. Such exaggerated fantasies damage teens by separating them from reality. The images are not about real or whole people and complete situations, but about imaginary people and unrealistic situations.

Our hypersexualized society also leads to sexual abuses. Some studies show that as many as 40% of teens have been sexually pressured and abused. Find family-friendly training to avoid child sexual abuse at taalk.org/training.

The article “Social media, substance abuse and dating violence dot rocky terrain of teen years” from the National Edition of the Deseret News provides helpful information and tips for parents.