A local family therapist says more needs to be done to tackle the rise in the number teenagers accessing pornography on their phones. It comes following a RedC survey showed that over 70 per cent of participants believe the Government and tech companies should do more to protect young people. A recent UK study has also found that early access to sexually explicit content is causing changes in young people's behaviour.
The Children's Commissioner Office report showed the average age a child first views pornography is 13. Nivard Whelan, a clinical psychotherapist who has worked with Vita House in Roscommon and is now working with the HSE, says more vigilance is needed when it comes to phone use. Speaking to Shannonside News, the family therapist said the issue is not confined to boys but is becoming increasingly prevalent amongst young girls:
