Children as Young as Five Exposed to Pornography Online, Leading to Addiction

Sky News reports that children as young as five in the UK are being exposed to pornography online, with some developing addictions. Research from the YMCA's Dignify Project shows the average age of first exposure is 12, but some children first see pornography at age five or younger. One survivor, Shaniah Williams, told Sky News she first saw pornography at age seven and was addicted by 12. The Dignify Project found that most children find pornography unintentionally through group chats, links from other platforms, or strangers. The research indicates that a third of children who have seen pornography encountered it in primary school. Experts warn that children 'can't unsee what they've seen' and urge parents to have age-appropriate conversations while implementing parental controls and privacy settings. The story also mentions a legal challenge calling for smartphone bans in UK schools, with over 250 headteachers supporting potential judicial review of government guidance.