Protecting Children from Pornography

Photograph from Getty Images, used for illustrative purposes, posed by models

Sister Joy D. Jones, Primary General President, expresses that love is the greatest weapon against pornography: “As the popular catchphrase says, ‘porn kills love,’ but let’s also remember that love kills porn.” Here are three ways that expressing love safeguards children against the influences of pornography.

Protection: “I Love You”

Create a relationship where your children feel safe and loved.

Response: “I Still Love You”

Talk to your children about pornography and invite them to come to you with their questions.

Healing: “I Will Always Love You”

Reassure your children that even if they struggle with pornography, your love does not change.

Sister Jones explains more about each of these ideas in her article on page 36.

What You Can Do

• Get comfortable talking with your children about sexuality and how to protect them from pornography.

• Help children understand the why.

• Every smartphone, tablet, and computer should have safeguards, even teens’ and adults’.

• Never leave anyone alone in a room on a media device.

• Do not condemn children who express a struggle with pornography.

“We safeguard our children until the time they can safeguard themselves.”

Jason S. Carroll, professor of family life at Brigham Young University