Three Steps To Helping Your Teen Overcome Pornography Addiction
Most parents wish to pass along their morals and values to their children. When you have teens who are being influenced by others, this job will demand a more diligent watch. One of the ways that you can keep your child mentally healthy is to make sure that they are not exposed to images and influences that will cause them trauma or addiction. If you suspect your teen is experiencing an addiction to pornography, you likely feel alarmed and overwhelmed. Though it is essential to speak with your child about this issue, the right approach to the situation is essential. Here are a few tips for dealing with pornography addiction and your teen.
Look for evidence to present
Many teens will become embarrassed and may deny having an issue with pornography. The best thing to do is to gather evidence of their addiction. When you have gathered evidence, this will prod your teen to confess their issues instead of trying to hide them. Printing out your teen's browser history from their computer, tablet, or phone will give all of the evidence that you need without printing embarrassing images. It is important to present the evidence at first in order to get your teen to talk, rather than present the evidence as accusatory.
Keep it cool
Though it can be easy to become upset at finding out that your teen has a pornography addiction, you have to keep the conversation cool. This means talking about the problem from a non-judgemental place. If possible, share with your teen an issue or addiction that you or a family member struggled with in order to make them feel more comfortable. The goal of the conversation is to get your teen to recognize their problem and talk about possible solutions. Once this has happened, they can enter into treatment for their addiction.
Fill their lives with excitement
After your teen has entered into treatment for pornography addiction, they will need to find ways to fill their time. Previously, being alone with their electronic devices was what they preferred. After treatment it is necessary to fill in those spaces with other types of excitement. Competitive sports, trips, and artistic ventures are productive ways for your teen to fill in the gaps they may feel while fighting addiction. Encouraging them in these ways will also demonstrate your love and support, which is what they need most.
Professional treatment facilities, such as Lifeline, can answer your questions about this sensitive issue and help you find the best treatment for your teen.
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