The following information was sent to me by Harness the River Event Founder Wayne Wald of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada…

A new high-level Internet domain has been launched—intended to give producers of “adult content” a domain all their own: “.xxx.” And while pornographers argued that this will allow Internet users to more easily avoid (or find) their content, this does not require them to stop using their old “.com” addresses.

This now means that parents will need to work even harder to make sure their children aren’t exposed to this content as the new pornographic “.xxx” sites come online to join the already existing sites. There are now over 182 million websites worldwide and well over 12% are porn sites consisting of 420 million pages of pornographic material. Here are some other shocking statistics:

• Every second $184,550 is being spent on porn
• Every second 28,258 Internet users are viewing porn
• Every minute 22,320 Internet users are typing adult search terms into search engines

 

And it’s not just our sons peeping at porn on the internet.  Our daughters are getting sucked in as well…

• Searches for Sex is 50% male and 50% female
• Searches for Adult DVD’s is 58% male and 42% female
• Searches for Sex Toys is 58% male and 42% female
• Searches for Teen Sex is 44% male and 56% female
• Searches for Adult sex is 36%male and 64% female
• Searches for Group Sex is 50% male and 50% female
• Searches for Cyber Sex is 41% male and 59% female
• Searches for “XXX” rated videos is 64% male and 36% female
• Searches for Sex Chat is 40% male and 60% female
• 72 million people worldwide visit porn sites monthly!

Let’s make sure our children aren’t one of those 71 million people exposing their minds to “commitment-less, intimacy-less, marriage-less, God-less” sex that’s so glamourized through internet porn! 

Again, I urge parents, if you don’t have Covenant Eyes filtering software on your computer, remedy that today! 

Check out this article about the latest scary trend on Facebook…

New Facebook sex game “Smash or Pass” gaining popularity

http://www.ksla.com/story/15229037/new-facebook-game-smash-or-pass-gaining-popularity

Posted: Aug 08, 2011 12:34 PM CDT Updated: Sep 20, 2011 7:11 AM CDT

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – It’s a dangerous new game on Facebook: ”Smash or Pass,” and it’s gaining popularity among young teens.

Here is how it works: Teens upload pictures of themselves so other users can say if they would either “smash” which means to hook up sexually with someone or “pass” as in no thanks.

But it’s hardly a game, according to Theresa Payton, a cyber security expert.

“This is not a game,” said Payton. ”This is not funny. This is not right. I mean it’s sexploitation.”

The trouble, she said, is it’s not just other teens who could be viewing your child’s picture.

“Predators go where the kids are,” Payton pointed out. ”So they’re out there playing “the game” using false identities.”

So who knows where their picture might end up. It’s why Payton says parents must know what their child is doing online at all times.

“Type in the search box, smash or pass,” she said. “I guarantee you’ll be appalled. Check it out yourself.”

It’s the same message from Tshaka Armstrong, co-founder of California-based Digital Shepherds, an organization dedicated to keeping parents informed in this digital age.

He told WBTV by phone today that parents need to “understand the culture. Understand what is going on online and understand that you’re children are connecting with other children in the way that you’re not used to.”

A father himself, Armstrong has made it his mission to make sure parents know about online dangers, especially a game like Smash or Pass.

“The most important piece of software that we can develop is the one between our children’s ears,” he implored. “It begins at home. It’s begins offline with the relationship between a parent and a child.”

Payton also told WBTV Facebook can’t keep up with every X-rated game on its site and since ”Smash or Pass” groups pop up faster than they can shut them down, chances are your child could come across one.

“When it comes to the laptops, when it comes to the computer, it’s in the family room,” Payton suggested. “The pictures of them are either in their bedroom, in the bathroom doing a self-portrait — you can see them in the mirror– and no parents are around.”

Copyright 2011 WBTV. All rights reserved.

Recently I spoke in Dallas for a nationwide organization called PureHope (www.purehope.net).  Their mission is to make people more aware of the dangers lurking behind some of today’s modern technology (the internet, social media, cell phones, etc.) and to equip parents to play a more pro-active role in helping their teens navigate these murky waters.
So for the next few blog posts, I want to share a few things I’ve come across on this topic in an effort to come alongside PureHope and parents who want to be “in the know.”

This first article was written by Nicole Brodeur, McClatchy Newspapers, 9/17/2009…

Poll Finds Disturbing Trends on What Teens Share Online

A new study shows one in 10 teens admitted posting a nude or seminude shot of themselves or others online.

“That shocks me,” said Stephanie Gockin, 25. “When I was a teenager, I never took photos of myself.”

Cracked her friend, Kate Barnes, also 25: “I didn’t even want to be seen in a bathing suit.”

Common Sense Media is taking a shot at educating teens this fall by starting a pilot program to bring media literacy into public-school classrooms.

It will cover everything from cell phone etiquette to the dangers of posting personal information — and images — online.

“The online network can be fun,” said Erick Fredendall. “You just have to know when to stop.”

A study, commissioned by San Francisco-based Common Sense Media, polled 1,000 teens to gauge how much time young people are spending on social-networking sites, and what they do when they’re on them.

The findings are not only worrisome, they’re a puzzle.

Aren’t teenagers the most insecure and self-conscious creatures on the planet? Isn’t a zit enough to keep them inside for days?

Not anymore.

“I know a lot of girls who send naked pictures on phones,” said one 15-year-old girl who works at Seattle Center. “They do it to get guys to like them.”

Said her friend, also 15: “I would never. It’s disgusting.”

The study also revealed a New Immortality: Kids don’t realize that what they post today could follow them to college, to work, to a run for political office.

“With teenagers, nothing ever happens to them,” shrugged Sam Fredendall, 56, visiting from Michigan. “I don’t think kids have a sense of the consequences.”

Fredendall, who’s raised her own kids and foster children, keeps four computers in her house, “and I see them all.”

“I know passwords. I check e-mails. It’s a condition,” she said. “Either agree, or lose it.”

It saved one of her kids from peril: “I had a 17-year-old daughter ready to do the dirty with a 21-year-old until I found the e-mails.”

If these trends concern you, here’s a few tactics I’d recommend:

• Pick up your child’s cell phone on occasion, see what kind of picture messages have been sent and received, and read a few random text messages.  The simple knowledge that you’ll be doing this should be enough to give your child incentive to keep everything on the up and up.  If they try to insist that you have no right to do such a thing, simply ask, “Who pays for this cell phone?”  They get complete privacy when they grow up and pay for their own cell phones.
• Know their login & password information on all social media sites they’re involved in.  Post something occasionally on their Facebook wall, as this sends a very friendly message of “I’m watching you!” to all their followers.
• Keep the computer in a main room of the house so that web activities are public, and if your child has a laptop, search the browsing history on occasion.
• Even better, invest in filtering software such as Covenant Eyes, which will send you an email message any time your child accesses a questionable website.

Let’s not stick our heads in the sand and assume that our kids know how to handle these overwhelming responsibilities.  Let’s show them that we care enough to be involved in their lives, especially their “cyberlives.”

guest blog by Liz Walker

Despite loud protests of “I’m going to do things better!” how are we fairing?  Often the awkward moments with our parents discussing sex (or not discussing it at all) come rushing back to haunt us.  The fears of “What does my child already know?, “What if I tell them too much!” and “How can I keep the lines of communication open?” seem to churn through our mind like a washing machine spinning out of balance.  As parents, the last thing we want to ponder is “how did our kids go from ‘cute and innocent’ to ‘got-it-all-together expert’ overnight?”

The difference between when we were kids and now is not too hard to see, however many of us have become desensitised to what has actually happened over the last 40 years.  The web has completely rebooted the world.  For instance, ‘Amazon’ has changed the way we shop; ‘EBay’ has changed the way we sell; ‘Google’ has changed the way we find information; ‘YouTube’ has changed the way we share experiences; ‘blogging’ has changed the way we share our thoughts and ‘Facebook’ has changed the way we relate to each other.  Technology has shifted culture.

Gen X (parents of teens) were introduced to and wowed by technology… Gen Y has experienced and expect exponential advance… Gen Z (our kids) believe technology just ‘is’. Gen Z have never known life without the vast array of superefficient, ever advancing, ‘simple to use’ and ‘couldn’t live without’ technology.  A great deal of technology is incredibly beneficial; however there are some pitfalls we need to be aware of when raising healthy teens to make smart choices about sex.

In dealing with the downside of media and technology, ask yourself a couple of questions.  What messages has your child picked up about their worth?  When they watch music clips, what are they being told about how they dress?  When they hear another report on the news about rape, what message are they receiving about the value placed on another human being?  When they see advertisements with men and women presented as sex symbols, how can parents effectively tell them about the beautiful gift of sexuality and intimacy?

These are messages no one can escape, so use them as learning points with your kids.  Recently my youngest was watching music clips, usually listened to on her radio, but the imagery adds a whole other level of meaning.  Bumping and grinding with minimal clothes is a soft porn message I don’t want her to absorb.  So I asked her how it made her feel.  “Uncomfortable.”  This was the perfect opportunity to suggest that if it makes her feel yucky on the inside, it was up to her to switch it off.  She needs to develop strategies to recognize unhealthy viewing.

The influence of pornography on Gen Z is far-reaching.  If we want to raise sons and daughters who have a healthy respect for themselves, others and sexuality, we need to be discussing sex topics.  The biggest concern I hear from parents is they are worried about telling their kids too much too soon.  I say, take a deep breath and dive right in.  It’s far better to tell them in age appropriate increments and allow them to ask questions, than have their first knowledge of sex come from an episode of the latest sitcom or a flash encounter with an adult-only site.

In a healthy safe environment, kids take in what they are ready for.  If it’s too much information, just like an overdose of vitamins, they won’t absorb it.  However viewing inappropriate visual images leaves a biochemical imprint on the brain, so they need a safe place to come and discuss if this occurs.  It’s important you have firmly established yourself as a reliable authority on sexuality prior to teenage years, when both peers and porn culture have the potential to become the dominating voice.

Parents have more power than what they give themselves credit for.  Consider these statistics:

• A recent survey indicated that eight out of ten teens say it would be much easier to delay sexual activity and avoid teen pregnancy if they were able to have more open, honest conversations about these topics with their parents.
• Six in ten teens wish they were able to talk more openly about relationships with their parents.

You can preserve the emotional and physical wellbeing of your teen by talking to them about what it takes to recognize, develop, and maintain a healthy relationship.

On the flip side, if the only message teens receive about sex is from peers or media (which places no importance on intimacy or sexual wellbeing) they have the potential to engage in early sexual activity, have more sexual partners, be at greater risk for STIs and engage in other high risk behaviors such as taking drugs and binge drinking.

Use every-day opportunities for learning experiences, such as advertisements on the back of toilet doors.  Ask your teen if they know the facts about chlamydia or human papilloma virus (and be sure you know the answers before you ask.)  It’s imperative our young people are aware of sexually transmitted infections, screening, and contraceptive use (along with their failure rates in preventing both unplanned pregnancy and infections).   Since the sexual revolution in the sixties, STIs have skyrocketed from 1 in 50 sexually active people contracting an STI to now 1 in 4.  It turns out our youth aren’t bullet proof, with around 70% of STI cases in the 15 – 24 year old age bracket.  Some of these are viral and remain for life; others are treatable with antibiotics yet can leave a young person infertile if undetected.

Talk about sex when the learning opportunity presents itself and give them full permission to ask questions.  It doesn’t have to be an indepth discussion.  Give bite-sized pieces which leave them hungry to come back for more.  Flipping out over something ‘shocking’ is a sure way to close the door on further conversations, so be mindful of any personal hang-ups which may need to be addressed in order for you to be more effective.

Keep a watchful eye on any boyfriend / girlfriend break-ups and how it makes them feel.  It might seem like harmless ‘puppy love,’ but emotional baggage can sometimes lead to feelings of depression and worthlessness.  It’s important to reassure your teen of how valuable they are as an individual and to offer support, regardless of what they are going through.

In amongst all this, aim to be the loudest voice in your teen’s life without the “blah, blah, blah.”  Talking about how beautiful sex can be in an intimate relationship gives them an appreciation of its value.

Despite common myths, young people don’t run out and have sex when it’s discussed in a healthy learning environment.  If teens know sex holds incredible value in creating a loving and trusting bond within a committed relationship, they are more likely to wait for emotional and cognitive maturity before participating in this important life decision.

—————————-
Liz Walker is an author, speaker and graduate student in Sexual Health through Sydney University.  The work she does with youth include educational presentations on sexuality for both teens and parents, and training community members such as youth support workers, teachers and suitably qualified volunteers to implement GET A GRIP teenz™: a self-awareness & educational program on life, relationships and the body.  Liz blogs on teen sexual health and relationships at http://girlzfreedom.wordpress.com/ and information about the GET A GRIP Youth Wellbeing Project can be found at www.getagripteenz.com

In light of last weeks blog post concerning guarding your heart as well as our many ‘Twilight’-inspired discussions in recent weeks and months, this video is so appropriate. Take a minute to watch Mark Driscoll’s take on discernment, especially where our children are concerned.

What do you think about Driscoll’s comments? Did any of the ‘top’ book titles alarm you? How do you educate and guard your children when it comes to what books they’re reading?

For more on educating your children, check out www.shannonethridge.com/products

Another great resource, particularly for parents, that we know you’ll appreciate! In Shannon’s own words, “you’ll be challenged and inspired.” Check it out:

posted by Terrica

The NY Daily News published the following article today.  Had to share:

Teenagers inspired by Twilight sink fangs into each other in new ‘biting’ trend, parents fear risks

Twilight fanatics are sinking their teeth into something new these days – each other.

Well ladies and gents, what do you think about this one? Alarmed? Freaked-out? Enraged? I’m sippin’ on a toxic emotional cocktail of all THREE…  Can’t wait to hear YOUR thoughts.

For parents in need of solid resources to help educate your children regarding sexuality, check out Preparing Your Daughter for Every Woman’s Battle (or Preparing Your Son for Every Man’s Battle) here:

http://www.shannonethridge.com/products.shtml

posted by Terrica

A reader from Australia recently sent us this photo of her daughter Lily, age 2.  She left her in bed to take a nap, but when checking in a bit later found her propped up in bed reading!   We may have just discovered out youngest fan, ever

Remember moms (and dads), it’s never too early to teach your daughters about embracing her role as the bride of Christ!