Specialists Say Children Acting Out Sexually From Viewing Ads, Games, Television Materials
Children acting out sexually – as young as six years old – may be part of a growing number of children whose behavior may be connected to viewing sexual content on television, in ads, through their video games and other musical forms of visual media.
Recent articles, say specialists who work with children who exhibit sexual behaviors at very young ages, are seeing more and more patients with the behaviors. One specialist said he has seen a marked increase of children with problematic sexual behaviors, working with around 200 children per year.
Some companies that market products geared toward children have been asked to de-sexualize their ad content, but parents are encouraged to be vigilant with the types of music, television, videos and games their children are exposed to. One message the sexual content gives kids, say experts, is the belief that in order to have success and influence, a person must also openly show their sexuality.
During interviews and counseling appointments, children have said they get the information about sexual behavior through the ads, videos, magazines or other materials they’re exposed to. As experts maintain that childhood is disappearing through the violent or sexual images and messages included in materials children view, advertising advisors continue to openly debate as to whether or not the materials are linked to the sexualizing of children and their related behaviors.
