Naked Truth

Supporting Parents in Church One area where perseverance is urgently needed is in supporting parents.

A recent Sky News investigation highlighted just how early children in the UK are being exposed to pornography, often unintentionally, and how easily repeated exposure can develop into harmful patterns. However, many parents feel completely overwhelmed by the idea of having to talk to their kids about pornography, and unsure where to turn to for help.

That’s why we’re running another online workshop for parents, carers and guardians, designed to help them talk to their children about pornography in an age-appropriate, calm, and shame-free way.

Monday 19 January 2026 7:30–8:45pm (BST) Live online

The session will help parents to:

Understand the digital risks children are facing

Talk about pornography without panic or shame

Set realistic and healthy boundaries Encouraging parents to attend is a simple but meaningful way churches can continue supporting families in this area.

Book here: https://nt-project.webinarninja.com/live-webinars/10721286/register

As part of this commitment to “keep going”, we’d love to invite your and your church to join our 24/7 week of prayer from 23–27 February 2025. ​

Across the week, we’ll be praying for:

Those personally wrestling with pornography

Marriages and families carrying its impact

Children and young people, and those parenting them, growing up in a porn saturated world

Church leaders seeking wisdom, courage, and resilience

Jack W. Hayford once said that “Prayer is essentially a partnership of the redeemed child of God working hand in hand with God toward the realisation of His redemptive purposes on earth.”

At Naked Truth, we believe one of those redemptive purposes is God’s good design for sex. Sexuality is not a problem to be solved but a territory to be reclaimed, not distorted by pornography or exploitation. That’s why prayer isn’t an add-on to our work; it is foundational to how we partner with God for change, asking Him to redeem stories, heal what’s been damaged, and restore His purposes for intimacy in people’s lives, families, and churches. So as you read this, would you consider taking a prayer slot, or even inviting your church to partner with us in this week of prayer?

Book a slot here: https://signup.24-7prayer.com/signup/991492/

Our culture prizes privacy. And in many ways, that is a good thing. After all, we live in a world where personal data can be tracked, sold, and exploited without consent. Wanting control over who sees our information is only natural.

But sometimes, our desire for privacy runs deeper than protection. Sometimes, it is about putting up a wall between our public and private selves – about hiding what we do not want others to see. For decades, that has been a big part of pornography’s power.

Experts often talk about the “Three As” that fuel pornography online:

-Affordable – endless content available for free.

-Accessible – one quick search and a whole world of explicit material opens up.

-Anonymous – viewed in private, away from prying eyes.

That last factor, anonymity, has been key. But it is also under pressure.

Since the Online Safety Act came into force, age verification checks are now required on all pornography sites. The aim is simple: to protect children from being exposed to harmful content. Yet not everyone is celebrating. Some adults are uneasy, worried about what this means for their privacy.

WHEN ANONYMITY FEELS THREATENED

Most of the resistance comes from fear that viewing habits might no longer be invisible. Credit card checks, ID services, or face scans can feel like cracks in the illusion of secrecy.

Even with strong privacy protections in place, this moment touches a deeper nerve. It reminds us of something uncomfortable: pornography has never really been private.

WHAT HAPPENS IN DARKNESS STILL SHAPES THE DAY

The Bible has long used the image of light and darkness to describe what is hidden and what is true. From the very beginning, Adam and Eve hid from God in the garden – ashamed, afraid, preferring the shadows.

Centuries later, the prophet Ezekiel saw Israel’s leaders secretly worshipping idols in God’s own temple. They told themselves, “The LORD does not see us” (Ezekiel 8:12). But of course, he did. Their hidden actions were shaping the whole nation.

Today, we tell ourselves similar lies – that what happens behind closed doors, in the glow of a screen, does not affect anyone else. But it does. Every click, every moment spent consuming pornography, leaves a mark. It shapes our desires, our relationships, our view of others, and even our sense of self.

We might clear our histories and lock our doors, but there is no true anonymity, not online and not before God.

CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT

For followers of Jesus, this new law offers more than a cultural talking point. It is an invitation – a reminder of who we are called to be.

Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:5: “You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”

To walk in the light does not mean living perfectly. It means living honestly. It means trusting that God’s light exposes not to shame us, but to heal us. When we step out of the shadows, we step into grace.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

The Online Safety Act may aim to protect children – and that is vital – but it also exposes something deeper about our culture. We want safety and we want privacy. Yet when those values collide, many of us instinctively choose privacy over protection.

Maybe this moment invites us to ask why. Why do we cling so tightly to secrecy? Why do we prefer the dark when light offers life?

Jesus said, “Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). The good news is that the light has come – and it still shines. Even now, it invites us out of hiding, into truth, and into freedom.

STEPPING INTO THE LIGHT

If this article has stirred something in you – maybe questions, regrets, or simply a desire for change – you do not have to face that alone.

At the Naked Truth Project, we believe freedom starts with honesty and hope. Whether you are struggling personally, supporting someone else, or just want to understand more, there are safe spaces and practical resources to help you take your next step into the light.

Explore support options and find your next step at [www.nakedtruthproject.com/get-help/](https://www.nakedtruthproject.com/get-help/))

Here are 5 tips to help you talk to your teens about pornography, but let’s be honest we know that can be an overwhelming prospect. Maybe you’re tempted to give it a miss altogether, too embarrassed or afraid of saying the wrong thing. But in today’s digital space- a world steeped in damaging messages that create insecurities, exploit vulnerabilities and fuel addictions, our kids desperately need us to be willing to engage, support and guide them. So these 5 tips will help you at least get started.

Tip #1 ACKNOWLEDGE THE AWKWARDNESS Acknowledge that the topic is awkward- you don’t have to pretend this is easy for you if it isn’t! As well as letting your teen know that this is an important chat, let them know it’s as difficult for you as it is for them. Try and inject a little bit of humour at this point, “ I remember when your Nan and Grandad sat me down to talk about this stuff, I wanted the ground to swallow me. It’s not much better as a parent!” Break the ice and set the tone for the conversation- it’ll make it much easier for everyone.

Tip #2 use tone & posture to avoid shame Do whatever you can with your verbal and body language to avoid making your teen feel this is something to be ashamed of. They need to know that it’s okay to talk to you about porn without feeling like it’s 20 questions that leave them feeling rubbish. It’s really important to do your best to ban shame in this conversation because you want to be able to keep talking about this. These first conversations are vital.

Tip #3 Keep the conversation abstract, not personal (and try messaging!) Instead of saying “I want to talk to you about what you’re looking at”, which may feel to the teenager like they’re in trouble, talk generally about the wider damaging effects of porn and how it affects society and people in general. Try waiting for an open opportunity, like if porn is mentioned on a TV show you’re watching together. (‘Friends’ will give you plenty of opportunities!).

Additionally, lots of young people communicate primarily through messaging. You’ve probably noticed that they rarely speak to their friends on the phone – it’s all done through messaging. So, if you see an article that would be a good discussion starter, try messaging them the link and asking what their thoughts are. It will give them the heads up that a chat might be coming, but also allows them some time to think about the issue first. Side note; make sure you’ve had the conversation about being safe opening links (even from people you know) first!

Tip #4 Make the conversations little and often Don’t sit your teen down for an hour-long intense conversation – you’ll lose their attention quickly! Instead have regular, short conversations. Teenagers change quickly, and what they’re interested in changes even faster, so regular chats will be more helpful for everyone. Remember that a change in behaviour is probably an easy sign that it’s time to have a quick check in!

Tip #5 Don’t focus on the rules Focus on the ‘why’ rather than the ‘what’. By all means set your boundaries (we’re big fans of parental control apps and house rules to keep your teenager safe) but they need to know that you’re not just being a killjoy! Talk about the bigger picture- explain that blue light in bedrooms isn’t good for their sleep, as well as the damaging impact that porn can have on them. Explain what your family values are, so that they can understand the ‘why’ behind the rules. Lastly- lead by example and leave your devices downstairs! This will have much more of an impact on them than any rule you set.

Remember- the most important thing is that your teenager knows that you’re on their team, and that your goal is to help them stay safe, know their worth and live in freedom. You’ve got this!

Last night I sat down to watch one of our team, Josh, share his story about porn on BBC Newsnight - https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/resource/sex-is-kind-of-broken-now-children-and-pornography/

It was raw, honest, and brave. Josh spoke about the grip pornography once had on his life, how it left him feeling trapped and hopeless, and the journey he’s made to freedom and purpose. Today, as part of Naked Truth Project’s social media team, he stands as a voice of hope, helping others who are where he once was. His story is powerful not just because of his courage, but because it puts a human face on what can otherwise feel like abstract statistics. Behind the data on pornography’s harms to children are real lives, real struggles, and a real need for change.

A NEW REPORT FROM THE CHILDREN'S COMMISSIONER

Just days earlier, I had joined a roundtable with the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel De Souza’s team, as they launched their latest research, “Sex is kind of broken now”: Children and pornography. This new report followed up on the research Dame Rachel published in 2023, and two years later, they wanted to track any key changes. (The findings of the 2023 report are one of the things Rachel & I discuss in the PWORD talks)

The new 2025 report is sobering reading — and it shows why stories like Josh’s matter more than ever.

THE DEVASTATING FINDINGS

The research reveals that children today are not just finding pornography; increasingly, it is finding them.

• Accidental exposure is rising fast – 59% of children said they stumbled across porn online without looking for it, compared to 38% just two years ago.
• Children are being exposed earlier – more than a quarter (27%) said they had seen porn by age 11, with some as young as 6.
• Violent content is widespread – 58% had seen strangulation, 44% saw sex while asleep, and 36% saw depictions of non-consensual acts.
• Attitudes are being warped – nearly half (44%) agreed with the statement: “girls may say no at first but then can be persuaded to have sex”.

These aren’t just numbers on a page. They point to a continuing epidemic of harmful content shaping the minds and attitudes of a generation. Pornography is not only influencing how children see sex and relationships — it is teaching them distorted views of women, consent, and intimacy.

"THIS CANNOT BE THE NEW NORMAL"

Speaking after Josh’s brave testimony, Dame Rachel was unequivocal: this cannot become the new normal. The Online Safety Act, which came into force this summer in the UK, is an important step. But legislation only works if it is properly backed, enforced, and strengthened.

That’s why the Report has made four urgent recommendations:

• Equal standards online and offline – The same legal restrictions that apply to films must also apply to online pornography. The British Board of Film Classification should regulate pornographic content.
• Close the VPN loophole – At present, children can sidestep protections by using VPNs. The government must require UK-based VPNs to implement effective age checks.
• Ban strangulation depictions – Non-fatal strangulation is a criminal offence when committed for sexual gratification, yet it is still widely depicted in pornography. The law must catch up by banning such content outright.
• Support healthy sexual attitudes in schools – Strengthen Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RHSE) and recruit more specialist teachers so that children receive high-quality, age-appropriate support

NAKED TRUTH PROJECT'S PERSPECTIVE

At Naked Truth Project, we see the impact of porn’s harms every day. We hear from young people whose first exposure to sex came not through conversation, relationship, or education, but through violent pornography they never even meant to find. We see how confusion, shame, and distorted expectations can take root early.

But we also see hope. Through recovery groups and online resources, we’ve watched countless lives change. Josh’s story is just one example. Once “hooked” and feeling hopeless, he now uses his voice to educate, empower, and encourage others. He shows that freedom is real, that healing is possible, and that no one is beyond hope.

Right now, we are in production on a new resource for teenagers, which will dig deeper into the education around porn harms but ALSO provide practical steps to find freedom. Watch this space. MEETING THE CHALLENGE IN SCHOOLS

One of the most urgent calls in the Commissioner’s report is for stronger, better Relationships, Health and Sex Education (RHSE) in schools. At Naked Truth, this is work we are already doing — and we are seeing the difference it makes.

Every year, our team delivers age-appropriate lessons in schools across the UK and very soon internationally too. Helping students to understand the reality of pornography, challenge harmful myths, and build a healthier vision of relationships and self-worth. We are committed to supporting teachers and schools in meeting this challenge, because education is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect children and prevent harm before it begins.

HELP & HOPE

The statistics are shocking, yes. But they are not the end of the story. Together — policymakers, educators, parents, and communities — we can ensure that children’s safety online becomes a non-negotiable priority. And together we can bring hope and support to those who, like Josh once did, feel stuck and struggling. We are grateful to the Children’s Commissioner’s team for their tireless work on this report. It is both a wake-up call and a roadmap. Now it’s up to all of us to act.

👉 You can read the full report here:

https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/resource/sex-is-kind-of-broken-now-children-and-pornography/

At Naked Truth Project, we’ll keep doing what we do best: speaking truth, raising awareness, supporting schools and families, and journeying with people towards freedom.

Ian Henderson, CEO

http://nakedtruthproject.com

This Friday (July 25th 2025) marks a major milestone in online child protection in the UK: the deadline set by Ofcom for tech companies to implement “highly effective” age verification (AV) on pornographic websites. It’s a step that’s long overdue. But let’s be clear. While this may be a win for digital safety, it’s not the end of the road. For thousands of young people already hooked on pornography, it’s barely the beginning.

Ten years ago, the NSPCC reported that 10% of under-18s identified as ‘addicted to pornography’. A recent Dignify survey now reveals that 27% of teens say they have a porn habit or addiction. These are children who can’t focus at school, whose relationships and self-worth are distorted, and who feel trapped in a secret cycle of shame. For their sake, we cannot afford to simply tick a policy box and move on. We need to treat problematic and compulsive porn use as a public health crisis.

A Journey Too Long It’s taken more than half a decade to get here. The original Digital Economy Act promised AV back in 2017, but implementation was abandoned in 2019 after privacy concerns and legal confusion. Child safety advocates pressed on, and the age verification torch was eventually picked up through the Online Safety Act 2023. Ofcom’s recent enforcement notices have finally put timelines in place.

This renewed momentum owes much to the tireless work of individuals, organisations and charities, including Naked Truth Project, who have been determined to bring the kind of safeguards we expect offline into the online world.

And it’s not just adults calling for these protections. In the recent “P WORD TALKS” podcast I recorded with Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner, she told me:

“Children tell us they don’t want to be exposed to pornography. They want us, the adults, to step in and act.”

We’ve heard the same from teachers, youth workers and parents across the UK. AV can make a genuine difference by raising the digital walls that have been left wide open for far too long.

Cracks in the System But many of us in the third sector aren’t breathing easy just yet. There are still major concerns about enforcement, especially around overseas porn sites with no clear UK presence. Charities like ours worry that if tech companies are allowed to self-certify compliance without external verification, we may simply be walking into another round of digital window dressing.

As Lord James Bethell, former health minister, told me in another P WORD TALKS interview:

“It’s not enough to pretend that age verification solves the whole problem. We need to recognise that porn itself, its accessibility, intensity and ubiquity, is shaping how an entire generation thinks about sex, consent and bodies.”

From Protection to Prevention If we want to move the dial, the next step must be a nationwide public health response to porn addiction. That must begin with investment in recovery resources for teens. Where are the free, accessible support services for under-18s struggling with compulsive use? Where is the funding for schools to deliver evidence-based education about porn’s impact on the brain and body?

We urgently need research-backed clinical support, training for youth workers, and recovery programmes co-designed with young people themselves. At Naked Truth, we are currently developing some of these recovery interventions. We’ve already worked with over 100,000 pupils through prevention workshops and lessons in schools. But demand far outweighs capacity, and our funding remains limited.

A Crossroads Moment The UK stands at a crossroads. We can settle for a checkbox victory, “AV done, let’s move on,” or we can rise to the challenge of protecting and restoring a generation already harmed by online pornography.

This isn’t just about shielding kids from what they shouldn’t see. It’s about helping those already struggling in silence. They need more than regulation. They need recognition, support and a pathway to freedom.

Let’s not waste this moment.

“Porn only affects the person watching it.” 🛑 That’s the lie.

The truth? Porn’s impact reaches far beyond the user — into relationships, mental health, and society itself.

It doesn’t stay on the screen.

This week we’re pulling back the curtain on the ripple effect of porn because you deserve to know what’s really going on, and how healing can begin.

📲 Save this post 📣 Share to spark change ➡️Follow along for weekly truth drops

We live in a world where porn is easier to access than honest conversation.

And that’s a problem.

The PWord Talks is a new series breaking the silence.

Through expert insight, lived experience, and brave storytelling, we’re asking the questions no one wants to ask and answering the ones too many are afraid to.

Because porn isn’t just a private choice. It’s shaping minds, bodies, relationships, and culture. And we need to talk about it.

🎥 Watch the series. 🗣 Share your thoughts. Let’s start the conversation. Launching 16th June 2025.