Porn addiction threat higher for kids

Children and teens who are exposed to pornography are more likely to become addicted than adults, a study shows.

Research highlighted by the Wall Street Journal found young brains are more susceptible to porn addiction because they release more dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasurable feelings.

Sexual activity is known to stimulate the brain by releasing an excess dose of dopamine. Exposure to porn can lead to young brains seeking out the pleasurable dose in a compulsive manner.

Researchers also warn that repeated exposure to pornography makes those "predisposed towards aggressive sexual behaviour" four times more likely to display sexual violence than peers.

Last week, a YouGov survey commissioned by CEASE revealed that almost half of young Britons came across pornography whilst under the age of 18.

Despite the legal age for viewing porn being 18, just seven per cent of respondents said they were older than this when they first saw it.

CARE has campaigned for age verification to stop kids accessing internet porn for more than a decade and worked with MPs to establish a law that the govt never enforced.

New age verification provisions are included in the government's Online Safety Bill, currently being scrutinised by parliament.

Learn more about CARE's work on this issue by visiting our cause page: CARE for Online Safety