A petition to protect children from pornography is nearing its target, and the creator has urged governments to introduce regulations for tech.
The petition, created by writer and psychotherapist Richard Hogan, said it is “too easy for children to access pornography online”.
Mr Hogan told The Hard Shoulder access to pornography is a “serious issue”.
“I'm no prude, right,” he said. “I work clinically, and I’m hearing everyday what’s happening.
“Last year I worked in a school where a senior infant consumed hardcore, extreme material.
“This is not satiating a normal sexual curiosity - because that's normal – this is hardcore.”
Tech 'dwarfing states'
Mr Hogan said families and schools alike have come to him as children have easy access to pornography, while Meta discovered it had 1.1million people under 13 on their platform.
“They don’t not want our children online,” he said.
“They absolutely need our children on it to garner revenue - the more trafficking, the more that they're consuming this stuff, the more extreme it is, the more they watch it, and it just, it just drives revenue.”
He said tech companies are “dwarfing states” without stringent legislation regulating pornography and children online.
ID required for pornography
Coimisiún na Meán, the new media regulator in Ireland, has said people may soon be required to upload their passport details or a selfie to websites if they want to view pornography to prevent children from accessing it.
Mr Hogan said this is regulation that could have real “teeth” if implemented.
“I’ve a nine-year-old and 13-year-old,” he said. “Like if she goes into a shop to order to buy cigarettes or alcohol or vapes, she has to show her age.
“We have to think about the future of our of our children's lives here.”
Impact of pornography on children
The psychotherapist said access to pornography at a young age can damage one’s prefrontal cortex.
“It can increase impulsivity,” he said. “It shoots dopamine to you, and that’s really important.
“Let's just say that the man and the couple has consumed pornography since a young age and now normal intimacy is eroded and it's not enjoyable.
“It leads people into all sorts of really dangerous places.”
You can sign the petition here.
