Kids searching for sex and porn

Norton Family Online released the most searched for terms by children in 2009. Across all three age groups (7 and under, 8 - 12, 13 - 18) sex or porn was in the #4 spot for most search for terms. Yikes!

They gathered this data from parents using their service to monitor and block certain web content. Unfortunately, the data is skewed by the fact that parents log into their kids' accounts and type in "sex" or "porn" to verify the Norton software is working. So the real truth of how often kids search for "sex" or "porn" can't be determined from this data.

However, undoubtedly there are a number of children searching for "sex" or "porn". The ability for children to learn about sex on the internet makes it even more critical for parents to discuss sexuality with their children starting early. By having these conversations, parents can help their children understand their values and increase the likelihood the kids will turn to them for questions instead of the internet.

Planned Parenthood outlines what children should know at different ages in their article Human Sexuality — What Children Need to Know and When. There are also a number of great books for different ages on sexuality.