Protect Your Teens from Porn (Without Shame): What Every Parent MUST Know

Are you worried about how porn might be impacting your teen—or afraid to even bring up the conversation?

Studies show that up to 90% of boys and young men are consuming porn, often starting as young as eight years old. And the truth is, it’s not harmless. Porn rewires the brain, damages real-life relationships, distorts healthy sexuality, and fuels depression, anxiety, and disconnection.

In this episode, Greg and Rachel Denning break down the science, psychology, and social impact of porn use—and why parents must step up with courage, clarity, and compassion.

We’ll explore:

• 🚫 Why porn alters the brain’s dopamine baseline and destroys joy in real life

• 🧠 The biological and psychological effects on teen mental health

• ❤️ How to talk openly about sex, attraction, and healthy intimacy (without shame)

• 📱 The role of smartphones, sneaky behavior, and the need for parental accountability

• 🔑 Practical strategies to protect your kids AND help them build self-control, grit, and resilience

  
  

Porn isn’t going away. But with the right knowledge, conversations, and boundaries, you can prepare your teens to choose a healthier, more fulfilling path for their future relationships and happiness.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Healthy sexuality is good—pornography is destructive.

✅ Dopamine overload from porn creates depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction.

✅ Teens need open, shame-free conversations about sex and attraction.

✅ Parental restrictions alone aren’t enough—kids need guidance and modeling.

✅ Sneaky behavior is more dangerous than simple exposure.

✅ Internal motivation and self-mastery protect kids when parents aren’t around.

Memorable Quotes:

🗣️ “Good kids still struggle with porn—it doesn’t make them bad, but it is destructive.”

🗣️ “Sneaky, slimy behavior is always more dangerous than exposure itself.”

🗣️ “If you don’t teach your kids, society will—and you won’t like the results.”

🗣️ “Healthy sexuality is normal. Porn is not.”

🗣️ “Resentment comes from control. Resilience comes from teaching.”

📌 Chapters:

00:00 The Impact of Pornography on Society

12:07 Understanding the Biological and Psychological Effects

23:52 Navigating Conversations About Sexuality with Children

29:29 Strategies for Guiding Children in the Digital Age

31:36 Educating Ourselves and Our Children

33:16 Tools for Managing Screen Time

36:53 Creating Practice Zones for Self-Control

39:11 Encouraging Self-Reflection and Accountability

41:19 The Importance of Meaningful Engagement

44:23 Modeling Healthy Tech Use

46:32 Navigating Struggles with Compassion

48:18 Understanding Shame and Accountability

52:18 Developing Internal Guidance Systems

56:11 Extreme Measures for Self-Discipline

🎉 Enrollment is now open for our Fall 2025

Habits for a Successful Life Online Class for Teens → Learn More Here

Formidable Family Man Podcast episode mentioned on this topic: #90 Stopping Porn for Good: Rewiring the Addicted Brain with Dr. Trish Leigh https://youtu.be/ybRopd24arI

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