Our friends at Defend Young Minds recently released their blog post “How Do Kids Find Porn? Top 10 Ways in 2023.”

Incredibly helpful and filled with resources, we wanted to share the blog post with our audience and include some suggestions for our own.

Below are the 10 ways plus our TOP 3 SUGGESTIONS–but realize that the #1 absolute top takeaway from the post included warnings about how kids can find (and hide) porn on phones.

Whether they see it through secret apps (that parents don’t even realize are porn), stumble across it in AI-generated art (the newest technological approach), or on popular (and seemingly “safe”) music streaming services (Spotify was just uncovered as a search engine for porn), 2023 is not the time for parents to become lax when it comes to smartphones.

Oh, and one more thing you need to know:

The tech algorithms are tuned to look for new customers based on DEMOGRAPHICS, *NOT* based search results.

This means that a teen boy–simply because he is a teen boy–is more likely to be searched FOR by the porn providers without waiting to see what the boy is searching for. They intend to actively send porn to certain demographics (fitting certain age, sex, location, etc), you understand, so you need to protect your children from these online algorithms which may send them what they by no means want to see.

To protect them, we have down below our THREE TOP SUGGESTIONS which have worked for our family, but first in summary here are the top 10 ways kids stumble on porn.

1. Social media apps–including some you you might not expect (like community forums on the FitBit app!). Social media apps want to keep users on social media longer, so they serve up content that might engage them. Teens will get served different content than an old guy like me.
2. In the home–when kids get on devices meant for others (see above). You have different controls on different devices…so beware handing a child someone else’s device.
3. Any phone connected to the internet or which can connect to other people–including browsers, video game apps, messages, etc.
4. Video and music streaming services–did you know Disney+ now has R-rated content? And even if a specific show or content is blocked…the explicit show appears in search results on things like the Roku channel.
5. Other kids’ devices–see all the above. 94% of teens have smartphones, 31% of 8-year-olds do, too. Our kids don’t look at other kids’ devices (though it requires severe self-control).
6. Relatives’ devices and homes–grandparents’ unfiltered and unprotected WiFi and TVs…and as mentioned above, the content providers aren’t searching for people watching older folks’ things…until something triggers them because it appears a younger demographic is logged on.
7. Online gaming consoles with internet access–give contact with strangers and the games themselves often can reveal hidden dangers or access.
8. At school–see above and recognize that even the school filters don’t block the types of things that you might find problematic, but the school administration does not. School-issued Chromebooks allow all sorts of access.
9. Virtual Reality (VR) gaming–and because the screen isn’t visible to anyone else, it’s difficult to know what a child is exposed to.
10. AI-generated art–including new technology like the Lensa app.

So what can you do TODAY to remove the opportunity for your kids to become exposed to pornography–and to know what to do should it happen by accident?

We have 3 suggestions for you to help you breathe a little easier.

First, we cannot recommend the Gabb phone enough.

You can read about our experience HERE (and why we too felt it was necessary that our youngest had a means of contacting us while at orchestra rehearsals and sports practices).

Here’s the deal: the Gabb Phone keeps kids connected through text and call. BUT, it does not have access to the Internet, social media or games–a huge relief for parents worried about pornography.

We have partnered with Gabb to give our customers 25% OFF the purchase of any Gabb device. Using code HOLYHEROES at checkout, you will get 25% off the Gabb Z2 phone (or the Gabb Watch if you are more tech-savvy than our family)! 

Second, we encourage every family to read this book.

Want a natural and comfortable way to talk to your kids about pornography?

This newly revised edition of the original bestseller makes that daunting discussion easy! Good Pictures Bad Pictures is a read-aloud story about a mom and dad who explain what pornography is, why it’s dangerous, and how to reject it.

Featuring easy-to-understand science and simple analogies, this internationally-acclaimed book engages young kids to porn-proof their own brains.

Here’s what makes these so good: Kids are so shocked, embarrassed, and guilty when they are exposed to pornography, that they don’t know what to do. That makes the problem worse with delay and more guilt. This book gives them a simple and immediate plan so they can act right away.

The 5-point CAN DO Plan™ teaches kids exactly what to do to protect their young minds when they see pornography.

One mother left this review after receiving her copy:

“Get this book and do what is shared here. Parents need to be brave and shine a light on their actions by making time for this conversation with their children. This book is a tool that should be mandatory for all parents.”

Another parent said:

“Excellent book. I like the parts where they have review questions for the parent and child to use as a conversation starter.”

My daughter, Clara, made this short video below to help you learn more about what makes these books so unique and important for every family to have. Take a watch and then order your copy below.

Finally, put Covenant Eyes on all your devices.

Covenant Eyes is the internet filter PLUS accountability software that our family uses for our computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

It is not just the “filtering” to protect the innocence of children, teens, and adults–so we don’t “come across” the things that others do–but the “accountability” of regular weekly reports to educate and form the moral consciences of our children. 

We receive these “accountability” reports for our children and the devices which have internet access (computers, tablets, phones, and so on), and this has made such a difference for us.

RIGHT NOW: you can get 30 days FREE by using our HOLYHEROES code when you sign up!

PS–please SHARE this blog with other families who would benefit from learning this information!