Teen Sex Addiction

Have you heard about teen sexting? If you have a teenager or pre-teen, it’s important that you know about this often hidden danger. Sexting includes sexually suggestive texts or photos sent digitally – usually via text message – and is a real problem for teens today. According to a study in 2014 by the journal Pediatrics, teenagers who are “sexting” are six times more likely to become sexually active at a younger age leading to a significant rise in teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual addiction in teens. Tacoma Christian Counseling offers help for teens who develop dangerous sexual habits including sexting, pornography use, and other damaging sexual behaviors.

During teen years, it’s normal to seek more independence and even begin experimenting with some adult behaviors, but there is a line between what is acceptable in Christ and what is not. How do you know as a parent what is healthy teen experience and what is damaging or an indicator of sex addiction? As Christian counselors, we are here to support parents in establishing healthy sexual boundaries and behaviors. If you fear your teen might be struggling with porn use or other damaging sexual behaviors, they might be struggling with sex addiction. The sooner your teen gets help, the better chance at recovery.

Common signs of sexual addiction include:

• Compulsive behavior that your teen feels unable to stop despite negative consequences such as health risks, sexually transmitted disease, pregnancy, poor academic performance, and harmed relationships.
• Obsession with thoughts and behaviors that are sexual in nature, often placing these things ahead of other things in life.
• Anger or irritability with discussions surrounding healthy sexual behaviors and precautions for things like sexting, talking with people online, pornography, or sexually active relationships.

Talking with your teen about pornography, sexting, and sex can be difficult, but it is very important. Many times sex addiction begins when a teen feels shame or need to hide their natural urges, so allowing them to talk about these things can be very preventative. These talks can be just as hard for the teen and at times it helps to have someone outside of the situation to talk to. If you are unsure of how to talk with your teen about sex or if you fear he or she struggles with sex addiction, we can help you. Christian counseling for teen sex addiction will bridge the communication gap between parent and teen while offering teen-focused advice for sexual morality and health.

At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we will help you and your teen find healing while building Christ-centered habits and growth. To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact us online or give us a call at (253) 777-1997.