Why are young people becoming addicted to porn? Is social media or parenting to blame?

Written by; Regina Bless

The growing exposure of young people to sexually explicit material has become a concern for families, schools and society. With smartphones and social media providing easy access to online content, young people can encounter material that they may not be emotionally or developmentally prepared to understand.

But who is responsible? Is social media to blame, or are parents failing to provide adequate guidance?

The reality is more complicated than choosing one.

Social media and the wider internet can expose young people to inappropriate content through recommendations, links, advertisements, peer sharing and other online pathways. The constant availability of smartphones can also make it difficult for parents to know everything their children encounter online.

At the same time, parents have an important role to play. Young people need guidance about online safety, boundaries, healthy relationships and the difference between realistic relationships and content created for adults.

However, blaming parents alone is unfair. Many parents are working long hours, may not understand the platforms their children use, or may simply be unaware of how easily inappropriate material can appear online.

Technology companies also have responsibilities. Better age protections, safer platform design and stronger systems for limiting children’s exposure to inappropriate material are important parts of the solution.

Schools can contribute through age-appropriate digital literacy and relationship education. Young people should be taught how to recognise harmful online content, protect their privacy and seek help when they encounter something disturbing.

The conversation should also avoid shaming young people. Curiosity does not make a young person bad. What matters is ensuring they have trustworthy adults and accurate education to help them navigate the online world safely.

Rather than asking whether social media or parenting is solely to blame, Ghana should ask a bigger question: How can parents, schools, technology companies and government work together to create a safer digital environment for young people?

Protecting young people online is a shared responsibility.