Generation XXX: Teens Addicted to Porn?

ABC News
7 May 201205:52
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script tells the story of Nathan Hogg, a 17-year-old Eagle Scout candidate from Alpine, Utah, who struggled with an addiction to online pornography from the ages of twelve to fourteen. Despite being an active member of the Mormon church, a good student, and involved in sports and student council, Nathan found himself unable to shake the habit until he sought help. The script also highlights the broader issue of pornography addiction among teens, with one study suggesting that exposure can begin as early as eight years old. The group 'Fight the New Drug' conducts school presentations to raise awareness and help teens understand that addiction is not a moral failing but a response to the brain's natural reward system. Psychotherapist Matt Buckley discusses treating pornography addiction and warns of a potential epidemic as the current generation grows into adolescence. The story ends on a hopeful note with Nathan successfully completing a church-designed program to overcome his addiction and now helping others who may be facing similar issues.

Takeaways
  • 👨‍👧‍👦 Nathan Hogg, a responsible teenager from Alpine, Utah, is actively involved in school and community activities, but struggles with an addiction to online pornography.
  • 🔒 Nathan managed to hide his addiction from his family and friends, demonstrating how easily one can conceal such behavior.
  • 📉 The addiction took a toll on Nathan's emotional well-being, causing feelings of incompleteness and a sense of being trapped.
  • 📚 Research indicates that exposure to online pornography can start as early as eight years old, affecting a significant number of US children.
  • 📱 The accessibility of pornography through smartphones and tablets has made it easier for young people to access and become addicted.
  • 🕵️‍♂️ Nathan became adept at covering his tracks, highlighting the importance of recognizing warning signs such as lying and self-isolation.
  • 😔 Depression, poor school performance, and isolation are common signs of addiction to online pornography among teens.
  • 🎓 Brianne Saldivar, another individual struggling with addiction during high school, emphasizes the widespread nature of the issue among peers.
  • 🚫 The organization 'Fight the New Drug' is working to educate and help individuals understand the impact of pornography and seek help.
  • 🧠 Psychotherapist Matt Buckley views pornography addiction as a coping mechanism for dealing with negative emotions and warns of a potential epidemic.
  • 💪 There is hope for recovery, as Nathan and others have managed to overcome their addiction and are now helping others who are struggling.
  • 🛡️ Nathan now uses technology to prevent accidental exposure to inappropriate content, showing proactive measures can be taken to avoid relapse.
Q & A
  • What was Nathan Hogg's daily routine that he managed to hide from his family?

    -Nathan Hogg had a habit of viewing online pornography late at night on the family computer, which he managed to cover up from his family for a significant period of time.

  • How old was Nathan when he started viewing online pornography?

    -Nathan started viewing online pornography when he was around twelve to thirteen years old.

  • What was the impact of Nathan's addiction on his daily life?

    -The addiction became a part of Nathan's daily routine, making him feel incomplete and creating a sense of isolation as he felt he couldn't be honest with others.

  • What are some of the warning signs for those who become addicted to online pornography?

    -Warning signs for addiction to online pornography include depression, poor school performance, self-isolation, and lying.

  • How does the accessibility of pornography through smartphones and tablets differ from the past?

    -The accessibility of pornography has significantly increased with the advent of smartphones and tablets, making it available at the push of a button, as opposed to the past where it was limited to magazines and VHS tapes.

  • What is the name of the group that presented at Bingham High School about the effects of pornography?

    -The group that presented at Bingham High School is called 'Fight the New Drug'.

  • What is the message that Fight the New Drug is trying to convey?

    -Fight the New Drug is conveying that it's not abnormal to find images of sex appealing, but it's important to recognize when the consumption of pornography becomes an addiction.

  • What is Clay Olsen's perspective on why pornography can be so addictive?

    -Clay Olsen believes that pornography is addictive because it triggers a release that floods the brain, providing a high or euphoria, which can lead to overexposure and addiction.

  • How does psychotherapist Matt Buckley view the use of pornography as a coping mechanism?

    -Matt Buckley views the use of pornography as a coping mechanism as a concern, as it can provide a temporary high but does not address the underlying issues causing the negative emotions.

  • What does Breanne Saldivar's story illustrate about the impact of pornography addiction on individuals?

    -Breanne Saldivar's story illustrates that pornography addiction can lead to self-isolation and a deep sense of dissatisfaction with oneself, as she hated what she was doing and couldn't stop.

  • How did Nathan Hogg eventually overcome his addiction to online pornography?

    -Nathan Hogg overcame his addiction by beginning a program designed by his church, which helped him get unhooked and now he is actively helping other kids who are facing similar issues.

  • What measures has Nathan taken to ensure he does not relapse into his old habits?

    -Nathan has set up his iPod touch in a way that even by accident, no kind of inappropriate image can get in, showing his commitment to avoiding triggers that could lead to a relapse.

Outlines
00:00
😔 Teenage Struggles with Online Pornography Addiction

The first paragraph introduces Nathan Hogg, a high-achieving student and oldest of eight children, who developed an addiction to online pornography. Nathan's story illustrates the struggle of hiding this habit from his family and the impact it had on his emotional well-being. Despite being active in the Mormon church, Nathan felt a disconnect between his addiction and his religious life. The paragraph also highlights the prevalence of accidental exposure to pornography among teens and the warning signs of addiction, such as depression, poor school performance, and lying. The narrative includes the experiences of Brianne Saldivar, who also struggled with addiction during her high school years. The paragraph concludes with a school-wide presentation by the group 'fight the new drug,' which aims to raise awareness and help teens seek help for their addiction.

05:01
🌟 Overcoming Addiction and Helping Others

The second paragraph focuses on Nathan's journey to overcome his addiction and his efforts to assist others facing similar challenges. Nathan began a program designed by his church to get unhooked from pornography and is now actively involved in supporting other kids who are trapped in addiction. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of recognizing the addiction and seeking help. It also mentions the preventive measures Nathan has taken, such as setting up his iPod touch to prevent accidental exposure to inappropriate content. The narrative concludes with a message of hope, indicating that addiction can be beaten, and Nathan's commitment to helping others who may be suffering from the same problem.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Merit Badges
Merit badges are awards given to Boy Scouts for demonstrating proficiency in various areas such as camping, first aid, and citizenship. In the context of the video, Nathan Hogg's pursuit of merit badges is indicative of his dedication to personal development and his journey towards becoming an Eagle Scout, which is a high achievement in the scouting program.
💡Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) program. It represents a significant accomplishment that involves demonstrating leadership, service, and moral character. Nathan's aspiration to become an Eagle Scout is a testament to his commitment to excellence and his pursuit of personal growth.
💡Addiction to Online Pornography
This term refers to a compulsive and unhealthy engagement with online pornography, which can have negative impacts on mental health and social behavior. In the video, Nathan Hogg's struggle with this addiction is a central theme, illustrating the challenges faced by many young individuals in the digital age.
💡Grade Average
A grade average is a measure of a student's overall academic performance, typically calculated as the mean of all their grades. Nathan's 3.75 grade average signifies that he is an above-average student, highlighting his commitment to his studies despite his personal struggles.
💡Student Council
Student council is a student-led organization in schools that aims to represent the student body and organize various activities and events. Nathan's involvement in student council demonstrates his leadership qualities and his active engagement in his school community.
💡Sports
Sports refer to physical activities that are governed by a set of rules and often involve competition. Nathan's participation in sports is an example of his well-rounded character and his commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which contrasts with his addiction to online pornography.
💡Mormon
Mormon refers to a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Christian denomination. Nathan's identity as a Mormon and his active involvement in the church are significant as they represent his moral and religious values, which conflict with his addiction, causing him inner turmoil.
💡Fight the New Drug
Fight the New Drug is an organization that raises awareness about the harmful effects of pornography. In the video, they present at Nathan's school, aiming to educate students about the potential dangers of pornography addiction. Their message is crucial in helping students understand the impact of their choices and seek help if needed.
💡Psychotherapist
A psychotherapist is a mental health professional who treats emotional, mental, and behavioral issues through various therapeutic techniques. Matt Buckley, a psychotherapist mentioned in the video, treats individuals struggling with pornography addiction, highlighting the seriousness of the issue and the need for professional help.
💡Euphoria
Euphoria is a feeling of intense happiness or excitement. In the context of the video, the term is used to describe the temporary high that individuals like Nathan experience when viewing pornography, which can lead to addiction and negative consequences in their lives.
💡Self-Isolation
Self-isolation refers to the act of withdrawing from social contact. In the video, Brianne Saldivar's self-isolation is a consequence of her feeling of shame and guilt associated with her addiction to pornography, illustrating the social and emotional toll that such an addiction can have.
Highlights

Nathan Hogg, a 17-year-old Eagle Scout candidate from Alpine, Utah, balances numerous responsibilities including student council, sports, and a 3.75 GPA.

Despite his active life and responsibilities, Nathan struggled with a hidden addiction to online pornography.

Nathan's addiction began around the age of 12 and became an almost daily routine by the age of 14.

Research suggests that exposure to online pornography can begin at a very young age, with some children encountering it as young as eight years old.

The easy access to pornography through smartphones and tablets represents a major shift from previous generations where it was distributed in magazines and VHS tapes.

Nathan became adept at hiding his online activities, including deleting browsing histories and specific searches.

His addiction was in stark contrast to his life as an active member of the Mormon church, which led to feelings of incompleteness and dishonesty.

Studies indicate that about 70% of teens have accidentally encountered pornography online, with both boys and girls at risk of addiction.

Fight the New Drug, an organization based in Utah, offers school-wide presentations addressing the issue of pornography addiction.

The organization's approach emphasizes that finding sexual images arousing is normal, but addiction can hijack a normal brain.

After Fight the New Drug's presentations, multiple teenagers often approach the speakers to share their personal struggles with addiction.

Matt Buckley, a psychotherapist, treats pornography as a coping mechanism for negative emotions, predicting a potential epidemic among adolescents.

Brianne Saldivar from Austin, Texas, overcame her addiction, which had persisted throughout high school, and now shares her story to help others.

Nathan eventually sought help through a church-designed program and successfully overcame his addiction.

To prevent relapse, Nathan uses an iPod touch configured to block any risqué content, demonstrating preventive measures against accidental exposure.

Transcripts
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