“Brain Rotting Phenomenon” is the fourth of fifteen teen articles received in spring 2024 from Piute High School students. Three of them were published in The Byway‘s most recent May paper. The rest will be featured online.
Pornography is a brain rotting phenomenon. It is changing how boys and girls value the opposing gender they are attracted to. It is putting the idea into their heads that intercourse is a game and activity other than a sacred act, used to bring precious life into the world. There are too many teens that watch pornography. It puts the wrong idea into teens’ heads. Pornography ruins and changes the brain. It needs to stop. There are three key points that people need to do to help their teenagers. First, keep them away from harmful pictures and words that will get their minds thinking about the wrong things. Second, talk about their wants and needs. Lastly, people need to talk about sexual desires and how they can be harmful when misused and figure out a solution.
Keeping teens away from pornography is just as much the parents responsibility as it is the teenagers’. Parents need to occasionally observe what their kids are spending most of their time on. The operative word is “occasionally.” Parents do not need to be all up in their kid’s life to the point that they are almost scared to show what is on their phone, but it is important to make sure they are on the right path.
The fewer kids that watch porn, the less it’s talked about, resulting in the decline of spending time watching porn. Porn will eat at the brain, causing the teen to be constantly thinking about it. According to “Understanding Porn Addiction: What Does Porn Do to Your Brain?” by the Integrative Life Center, “An addiction to porn means [teens are] more likely to develop anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.” It is not a good thing. We need to put positive, mind growing things in the teen’s brain.
Wants and needs play a big role in the pornography discussion. Teens are looking online for their desires; the things that they want. However, it is not what they need. Teens think that intercourse is a way to move up in the world and get that one step of fame, but in reality if they are chasing that road, they may be on it forever. Intercourse should be for people that want to bring children into the world or to strengthen a marriage, and not only for a game as some people would call it. Its importance needs to be talked about more often.
Talking about sexual desires can be awkward. It is for everyone. But it is important to discuss it with teens to talk about the harmful effects of mindless sex. One explicit picture teens could see online could get their mind thinking about that topic and they may seek out more pictures. They can become addicted.
It is important to talk to teens about the harm and hurt from porn before they get a glimpse of it. In the article by Emily Rothman, “Talking with Teens and Preteens About Pornography” she explains what can be said as a parent to teens, “You can say: ‘I know it’s common for teens to see pornography. If you ever saw pornography and felt out of control about it, or that you can’t stop yourself even when you want to, please tell me and together we can find help.’” Helping teens before the problem even starts is huge. They need to make their decisions right now that they will stop their addiction or not even start. People need to be welcoming to their teens so they are not afraid to talk about their problems. There is no reason to show anger at teens for seeing it. It is very addicting and a huge problem. All that matters is that they overcome it.
Pornography can damage the brain and manipulate thoughts toward the gender they are attracted to. It is ruining people’s values. We need to help our teens more than ever right now. Porn is so easy to access and it is a straight shot to the head. Teens are suffering and they might not even know it. Let’s devote this time to save the teens.
– by Kole Westwood (12th) Piute High School
Feature image courtesy of Abbie Call, The Byway.
Read more from Piute teens in Silent Struggle by Bodie Gayler.