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wo thirds of elementary students surveyed in the Greater Jakarta area have been exposed to pornography, thus increasing their vulnerability to sex addiction, a survey shows.

The survey of 2,818 fourth, fifth and sixth grade elementary school students in Jakarta, Depok and Bekasi conducted between January 2008 and February 2010 showed that 67 percent had seen pornographic material through computer games, comics and websites.

“Most of the children accessed pornography from gadgets given to them by their parents, who only gave them the devices as symbols of prestige,” survey team psychologist Elly Risman said.

There were many ways for children to access pornography in the information technology era, she said, adding that for this reason there should also be a corresponding revolution in methods of parenting.

“The older methods of parenting are no longer applicable. Parents have to be aware of the dangers of sex addiction, which is sometimes caused by exposure to pornography,” she said.

Sex addiction could affect the development of the brain’s frontal lobe, which controls a person’s reason and rational, their ability to set goals and maintain self-discipline, American child and family psychologist Randy Hyde said, adding that bright, sensitive, spiritual and tender-hearted children are also vulnerable to sex addiction.

“They actually feel guilty about what they do and want to quit. But at the same time they are becoming more and more addicted to the things they are trying to avoid. It’s human nature,” he said.

Instead of blaming children, parents should influence their kids by appreciating their honesty, Randy said.

There are certain steps that can be taken to prevent children from becoming sex addicts, Elly said. Parents have to be aware of the information their children have access to, and they also should have knowledge on sex addiction, she added.

Parents should be able to practice their knowledge on how to restrict their children from having sex and masturbating.

“Sex addiction among children is actually not new, but parents are not fully aware. There are no therapists in Indonesia to help children escape from sex addiction,” Elly said, adding that children who are addicted to sex tend to do poorly in school, describe their sexual fantasies, tell dirty jokes and avoid eye contact because of guilty feelings. (not)