Kids watching pornography is the subject of a powerful documentary that will be screened Monday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. at VIU’s Cowichan campus.
The Canadian film, Over 18 — the Question is Not Enough explores pornography addiction in children and its long term effects on the attitudes kids take into later life.
With quotes like “My name is Joseph. I’m 13 years old and I’m a recovering porn addict,” the film, presented by Warmland Women’s Support Services Society and Vancouver Island University, offers a lot to think about.
The doc is produced by Canadian charity, Hope for the Sold and follows the true story of Joseph, a 13 year old boy who became addicted to pornography at the age of nine while playing on his computer in his family’s living room. The film interviews experts from around the world as well as people who are active in the adult film industry and aims to equip parents with the knowledge and resources to help them protect their children from pornography exposure and addiction.
The documentary proposes that adult websites be mandated to install meaningful age verification systems so that no one under the age of 18 can access this highly addictive material.
“Gone are the days of men discreetly placing a nudie magazine on the store counter while the sales clerk verifies their age”, said filmmaker Michelle Brock. “Most porn consumers now find new material online, an unregulated digital world where children can access the same content as adults at the click of a button.”
The majority of sexually explicit material features violence toward, and the domination, degradation and humiliation of women and girls. On Pornhub, the largest “free” online site, popular categories include “extreme brutal gangbang”, “18 and abused” and “crying teen”.
Kendra Thomas, program coordinator for Warmland Women’s Support Services, says it’s a real cause for concern.
“Sexually objectifying women perpetuates lies about women’s basic humanity and endorses and condones sexualized aggression toward women,” she said, when announcing the film.
“The growing epidemic of heavy pornography exposure for our youth is of grave concern. Children do not have the psychological means to navigate the impact of graphic sexualization of women and their impressionable young hearts and minds need our protection,” said, adding that “exposure to sexually explicit material is a form of child abuse.”
Statistics are staggering.
The average age of online exposure for boys is just 12 years old, and up to 39 per cent of boys have viewed child pornography, bestiality and sexualized bondage, while 57 per cent of girls and 83 per cent of boys have seen group sex online.
A post-screening community discussion includes guest speaker Kerri Isham of Power Up Workshops and filmmakers Jared and Michelle Brock.
The public screening of this film is by donation with proceeds going to support Hope for the Sold. There is a free door prize as well.