Teens and Internet Danger Dale R. Doty, Ph.D. William B. Berman, Ph.D. Christian Family Institute

Traditionally when we think of the problems people get into on the internet, we think of internet pornography. New technologies have opened up new ways for people to get into trouble. From Facebook to sexting, clients are getting caught up in habits and compulsions that are destructive to their lives and relationships. This workshop will outline the technologies and habits, and treatment strategies for dealing with these new problems.

We live in a world where technology develops at a staggering rate, far faster than our society can predict its implications CES – 1.7 million square feet of exhibits – 30 football fields CES – 1.7 million square feet of exhibits – 30 football fields 3000 exhibitors, 150,000 attendees 3000 exhibitors, 150,000 attendees Portable Phone 1968 Portable Phone 1968 (19 lbs. costing $2000.) (19 lbs. costing $2000.) VCR 1970 VCR 1970 Camcorder 1981 Camcorder 1981 CD Player 1981 CD Player 1981 Commodore Commodore Beginning of the Personal Affordable Computer Beginning of the Personal Affordable Computer Public Access to the internet in the early to mid 1990s First Text Messaging Cell Phone 1993 DVD 1996 Cell Phones with built in camera 1997 DVR 1999 XBox 2001 iPhone 2007 Not surprisingly the Adult Entertainment Expo has overlapped with CES in LV for the last 10 years or more

As each of these products are released, it sometimes takes years to measure their impact on our culture, and our families. Who would have guessed that the cell phone with a camera would lead to the eventual arrest of teenagers for distributing child pornography of themselves? How have these technologies changed our lives, for better or worse?

Social Media sites For Better or for Worse?

Obsessive / Excessive Texting More than 4 in 5 teens with cell phones sleep with the phone on or near the bed More than 4 in 5 teens with cell phones sleep with the phone on or near the bed One in three teens sends more than 100 text messages a day, or 3000 texts a month One in three teens sends more than 100 text messages a day, or 3000 texts a month 15% of teens who are texters send more than 200 texts a day, or more than 6,000 texts a month. 15% of teens who are texters send more than 200 texts a day, or more than 6,000 texts a month.

Cell-phone-centric lives Interruption of normal family activity Interruption of normal family activity Increased family conflict Increased family conflict Life out of balance Life out of balance Obsession Obsession Falling school achievement Falling school achievement

Teens viewing pornography The average age at which a child first sees porn online is 11 The average age at which a child first sees porn online is 11 12% of websites on the internet are pornographic = 26,644,172 12% of websites on the internet are pornographic = 26,644,172 At any moment 28.3% of internet users are viewing porn At any moment 28.3% of internet users are viewing porn 1 in 3 viewers of porn are female 1 in 3 viewers of porn are female

Teens making and posting pornography sexting sexting 4% of teens say they have sent a sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude image of themselves to someone via text message. 4% of teens say they have sent a sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude image of themselves to someone via text message. 15% of teens say they have received a sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude image of someone they know by text. 15% of teens say they have received a sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude image of someone they know by text. cyber-sex cyber-sex

Computer addiction Computer addiction Game addiction Game addiction

Texting and cell phone use while driving One in three (34%) texting teens ages say they have texted while driving One in three (34%) texting teens ages say they have texted while driving

Cyber-bullying 26% have been bullied or harassed through text messages and phone calls. 26% have been bullied or harassed through text messages and phone calls.

What makes people vulnerable to technological obsessions Curiosity Lack of clear boundaries Lack of clear rules of Etiquette in families in society Parents who do not understand the dangers or risks of technology Parents who are naïve and overly trusting

Danger associated with technological obsessions Depression, anxiety Depression, anxiety Hypervigilance Hypervigilance Impulse control problems Impulse control problems Falling grades, decreased motivation to succeed Falling grades, decreased motivation to succeed Family conflict Family conflict Lack of spiritual passion Lack of spiritual passion Addiction Addiction

Adolescent Brain Human brain is fully grown in size by age 12 Human brain is fully grown in size by age 12 But, not fully developed until mid 20's But, not fully developed until mid 20's Pre-frontal cortex is the last area to develop Pre-frontal cortex is the last area to develop responsible for advanced reasoning and impulse control responsible for advanced reasoning and impulse control

Adult hormones and adult desires fully develop long before the ability to effectively manage them "Ready...Fire...Aim" "Ready...Fire...Aim"

Traits of Healthy Parenting Clearly defined roles, rules and boundaries Clearly defined roles, rules and boundaries Teens do not grant wishes Teens do not grant wishes Rules - Relationship - Relationship Rebellion Rebellion

Hebrews No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

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