Hypersexuality in Children: How to Prevent it

Hypersexuality in children is a phenomenon that occurs due to factors such as children's education, interaction with their environment or the influence of media. Do you know how to prevent it? 

Hypersexuality in children refers to the increase in sexuality of very young kids, especially girls. Its main cause is the exposure to images and messages presented through the media and internet.

This makes parents face unexpected situations that not only shock them, but also interfere with their moral values. 

The danger of it all is that, by focusing on their physical appearance, kids learn to compare themselves to others, devalue their own individuality, and start adapting to what they see in others at an age in which they’re building their identity.

It’s not strange to see our little ones develop an obsession with their weight at a young age. Of course, this brings nothing but psychological and physical problems.

Hypersexuality in children also indicates the pressure kids feel to engage in abusive sexuality. This isn’t only inappropriate for their age, but it also impairs the process of development and the rate in which they acknowledge their own sexuality. All these factors negatively impact their psychological health.

Hypersexuality in children is often considered to be linked to their exposure to pornographic images. However, in the case of girls, it’s more about their looks and the role of women in society. In fact, this pressure may even come from the parents themselves or from media.

A new phenomenon: hypersexuality in children

This social phenomenon is the product of the evolution of a self-centered society, one that plays with stereotypes to encourage certain behaviors and also has a young audience as an easy-to-manipulate target for marketing purposes.

It’s disturbing that hypersexuality in girls starts at a younger age than boys. The overall concept has been forged by certain industries, such as the fashion industry or social media, which are eager to find new consumption users.

Through internet, music or TV, they transmit their messages about the importance of appearance and seduction. Sadly, young kids are particularly impressionable by this.

Both boys and girls sometimes mimic certain behaviors they see in their adult role models. Nonetheless, it’s not easy to explain to your kids that some of their references don’t correspond to their age and can harm their psychological and physical health.

Parents must be even more careful and attentive to maintain the progress of gender equality in society, especially when these behaviors and stereotypes arise.

This confirms the need for broader perspectives in education and training in all study programs, but also outside of school.

How can you prevent hypersexuality in children?

To avoid cases of premature hypersexuality in children, take the following suggestions into account:

• Do some self-criticism and reflect on whether your values are consistent with what you ask of your children.
• Impose your own limits and learn to say “no.”
• Talk openly about sexuality and about self-respect.
• Help your children develop their own critical thinking for certain behaviors and images.
• Encourage your children to develop interests that reinforce their values, such as art or sport.
• Make sure the school is providing an ethical code in sex education. 

Moreover, remember that apart from the previous advice, if you want to face hypersexuality in children, the most important thing is that you make sure they’re getting the best out of every moment in their lives. 

Teach them that there’s time for everything and that their activities and routines should be appropriate for their age.

Finally, keep in mind that you need to protect your children from the ever-present eroticism. As always, we recommend that you maintain good communication with them to prevent any kind of inappropriate behavior.