Tech industries pull kids away from real life
A vast, predatory industry waits to ensnare boys by turning deep human experiences into ways to get money.
The industry is online pornography. By 18, 90 percent of teenagers will have seen pornography.
More than ever, fathers need to protect and teach their children, Gilmer youth pastor Doug Moore said.
“One of the main goals of the mission is giving boys a different vision, equipping dads and helping build authentic relationships,” he said.
To help dads approach this difficult topic, Moore has written a book, “The Vanguard Project: A Tactical Field Manual for Fathers Fighting for Their Sons.”
“The only way we as parents can fight against this is having constant conversations with our kids,” he said.
Pornography is addictive. But it devastates in a different way than alcohol or fentanyl addictions.
Experiences like getting a hug or having a meal give the human brain a rush of dopamine, a natural chemical.
This chemical helps us feel joy.
Engaging with online pornography gives people dopamine in high qualities, oversaturating their brains.
Over time, this oversaturation causes dopamine’s effects on people to drop.
Eventually, daily life starts to feel flat.
“The brain recalibrates itself,” Moore said.
The porn industry is predatory.
Often, uploaded videos include real or simulated violence toward women. Many sites don’t verify whether users are over 18.
Porn addiction can make life miserable for children.
As technology advances, pornography is increasingly able to separate the full spectrum of an intimate relationship into sellable parts.
Online video websites sell the illusion of physical intimacy. Today, AI chatbots sell the illusion of conversational intimacy.
“The way we combat AI chatbots is when we help our kids recognize what they are and that authenticity matters,” he said.
Today, fathers need to consistently check in with their kids to protect them, he said.
At an early age, kids should know to go to their parents if they see something explicit online.
Moore suggested a simple method. Kids should know to leave browsing and tell their parents if they see something explicit online.
If a child or teen watches porn, it isn’t a parent’s job to make the child feel ashamed. Those addicted to porn are victims of people who are experts in manipulation, he said.
“The father’s option is to be a medic, not a judge, and understand what’s happening in their son’s brain,” Moore said.
The Vanguard Project will be available on Amazon and at TheVanguardProject.org starting March 31.