It used to be that a parent just had to worry about magazines when protecting their child from pornography. Then came cable TV and premium channels. Following quickly was VHS / DVD / Blu-ray. The Internet then became the focus. Lately smart phones and video game units allowing internet access had to be protected. Let me add one more: video games themselves.
Cris Clapp Logan is an Internet safety expert. She explains, "Virtual sex games are often free and easy to access for kids; these games allow kids to explore sexuality in any place and in any way, including group sex, bestiality, and other fetishes."
Mainstream games also can have pornographic elements. Even games rated for teens and users 10+ will often contain overtly sexual images. I counted almost 30 different pornographic elements that Logan mentions in a few of the most popular video games among teenagers. Among them were the following:
- main characters receive lap dances, sex toys and other sexual favors
- press buttons to pleasure women and bring them to orgasm
- pick up a prostitute and then have sex with her
- sex in tree houses, showers or under bed sheets
- find hidden Playboy magazines
- watch strippers pole dance
- and many more
Logan claims that "only 30% of teens report having rules about what type of games they play and purchase." It is no wonder that family counselors are saying that the majority of teens with sexual addictions have access to sexually-themed games. For some kids, gaming was their entry-point to pornography use.
Parents, it's time to catch up with the times. Here's what Logan recommends:
- set clear rules regarding what games are appropriate
- avoid games with ratings of M (Mature), AO (Adults Only), and RP (Rating Pending)
- thoroughly evaluate T (Teen) games that can still contain more violence, strong language, and sexual themes
- set time-limits
- monitor games while being played
- use parental controls (such as SafeEyes or Covenant Eyes) on all gaming and Internet-enabled devices.
XXXChurch.com. (2013). Cris Clapp Logan. Retrieved from
