Senate to investigate porn impact on kids

#1161 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 6 December 2015

A Senate inquiry has been established into the impact of pornography on children, following the passing of a cross-party motion moved by Labor Senator Joe Bullock, Liberal Senator Chris Back, Nationals Senator Jo Lindgren and Independent Senator John Madigan.

Family Voice Australia research officer Ros Phillips said such an inquiry was long overdue, arguing there was “mounting evidence that pornography can act like an addictive drug in vulnerable young people, leading to serious relationship and other problems.”

The inquiry was prompted by:

• children’s increasing use of technology allowing easy access to online pornography;
• research showing that exposure to porn had measurable negative effects on brain development and behaviour;
• the increasingly violent content of online porn, particularly against women;
• links between child abuse and exposure to porn; and
• the fact that previous inquiries have not adequately addressed the question of children’s exposure to online pornography.

The closing date for submissions is 10 March 2016.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.