How to Overcome a Porn Addiction as a Teenager

Many people first encounter pornography as a teenager. A few decades ago, they usually saw magazines or perhaps even a dirty movie at a friend's house. With Internet access in nearly every home now, pornography of every kind is readily available and that kind of access to pornography can spawn addictions in vulnerable teenagers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Recognize that you have an addiction. Keep a tally on the number of hours you spend viewing pornographic movies, reading pornographic magazines or browsing all the available porn online. If seeing pornography is the way you start and end your day and if you find you are constantly thinking about it, you definitely have an addiction to pornography.
2. Realize that sexual feelings and enjoying sex is normal and healthy. Preoccupation with others having sex, however, can interfere with your daily life as well as your ability to connect with others in the real world. Set a goal for yourself to view sex as a normal part of life and not as your entire life. As a teenager without a lot of hands-on experience, pornography may increase the fantasy value of sex but is also setting you up for disappointment in the real world.
3. Tell your parents. This may the hardest thing you've ever had to tell them but remember that they love you and want to help you. Your parents can be your biggest ally as a teenager overcoming an addiction to porn whereas your friends are more likely to encourage the habit. They can help you set ground rules for computer usage and monitor the materials that come in and out of the house. Admitting you need help shows that while you made a mistake, you are maturing.
4. Install a computer monitoring software on your computer. The best way to overcome your porn addiction is to restrict your access. Allow your parents to create a password so you don't have access to the administrative options on the software. Various programs exist on Download.com that can block all Internet porn sites and filter your incoming mail and messages.
5. Resist the temptation to watch porn by being involved in extracurricular activities. Take up a sport, like basketball or baseball or create a new workout schedule that keeps you at the gym a lot. Refocusing your mind on other things gives you a new outlook on the direction you want your life to take and you can soon realize how time-wasting pornography actually is.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid hanging out with other teenagers who have an active and unchecked interest in pornography. They may be your friends but you'll never overcome your porn addiction if you continue to stand by and witness their addictions too.