Puberty & Porn: How to Talk to Your Kids Without the Awkwardness | Thriving in Our Forties #13

What do we say to our kids about pornography and puberty without it being awkward?In this honest and empowering episode of Thriving in Our Forties, we're joined by Janey Downshire, expert in adolescent development, counselling, and co-author of Teenagers Translated. Together, we unpack the tough but vital topics affecting our children today - online porn, puberty, body anxiety, and emotional literacy.For today’s teens, puberty and p*rn have become tangled in confusing, often harmful ways.Easy access to explicit content is shaping unrealistic expectations around sex, intimacy, and relationships, for both boys and girls.We’re seeing a rise in anxiety, body shame, and social pressure in girls, and erectile dysfunction and emotional disconnection in boys - both linked to the curated, hyper-sexualised content they’re absorbing.Many young people are learning more from screens than from real-life conversations, and that’s a problem we can change.In this episode, we cover:Why pornography isn’t going anywhere and how to talk to your kids about it with confidence and clarityThe emotional impact of puberty and the pressure to “perform” femininity or masculinityThe importance of talking about real sex vs online sexHow to set healthy, clear boundaries as parents (and stick to them)Tools for tackling awkward topics so kids trust you to guide, not judgeThe concept of Parent Power: why we need a collective voice to challenge the cultural narrative around sex, puberty, and growing upThis conversation is full of insight, practical tools, and reassurance for any parent who wants to raise emotionally literate, sexually healthy, confident young adults.Show notes include a carefully curated list of resources to help you continue learning and talking.#Puberty #ParentingTeens #TalkingToKidsAboutPorn #TeenMentalHealthwww.teenagerstranslated.co.ukSexEd in the digital age: https://fumble.org.uk/Boys’ Health: https://www.childrenandscreens.org/learn-explore/research/boys-health-and-digital-media/#talk-about-pornographyGirls’ Health: https://www.childrenandscreens.org/learn-explore/research/girls-health-and-digital-media/The Effects of Pornography on Youth and How to Talk About It:https://www.childrenandscreens.org/event/the-porn-conversation-the-effects-of-pornography-on-youth-and-how-to-talk-about-it/Porn-Induced Erectile Dysfunction: https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Watching+porn+leaves+men+unable+to+perform+in+the+bedroom%2c+new...-a0818133448Pornography and Behavioral Health: https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/pornography-and-behavioral-health‘Mum, What’s Wrong with You?’: 101 Things Only Mothers of Teenage Girls Know (book)Raising Boys in the 21st Century (book)Raising Girls in the 21st Century (book)