There is a pervasive culture out there seeking to fill the minds of individuals with pornography—and with unwanted pop-ups and unlimited free access to sexual violence with the click of a mouse or the touch of a screen. It's helpful to have an organization that can provide information and empower individuals to make the right decisions.Fight the New Drug is that organization.

Fight the New Drug (FTND) is a non-religious, non-partisan, non-legislative organization that does hundreds of presentations all across North America every year. They have been featured on ABC Nightline, CNN, Dr. Drew, Psychology Today, and many other news outlets. On a personal note, I've been following them for years and as a science teacher, I particularly appreciate their scientific, data-based approach.

What was the Delbarton Presentation About?

On February 25 and 26, Fight The New Drug presentations by Parker Hymas from FTND to both Delbarton parents and students focused on pornography's effects in three ways—how continued usage can damage the brain's development due to neuroplasticity, how all relationships, not just romantic, are affected by pornography, and how the porn industry affects the world at large through the demand it creates for sex trafficking. Fight the New Drug accomplishes its mission of educating the public at large through peer-reviewed research, opinions of experts in the field, and personal accounts.

 

• Get the facts here.
• Peer-Reviewed Research
• Expert Interviews

What can students do?

 

 

Students are encouraged to "take the Fighter Pledge" and sign a banner at lunch this week. This pledge emphasizes that individuals strive to be bold and rebellious in their countercultural approach to pornography and understanding and encouraging of those struggling with addiction.The full pledge can be found here.

What can parents do?

Parker Hymas, the presenter, suggested the following:

• Have a discussion with your teen regarding pornography, and sooner than you think. Tips and suggestions for doing so can be found here: A conversation blueprint.

• Watch the following documentary with your teen, "Brain, Heart, World"

• Consider what access your teen has to technology (time/duration), how protective he might be of his devices, and what types of social media he uses

• Consider using device monitoring, filtering, and accountability software like Bark or Covenant Eyes to help keep the conversation going with your teen and to encourage him to make smarter choices, both on his laptop and on his smartphone.

What if someone we know is struggling with an addiction?

• There are online resources like Fortify that can help individuals struggling with addiction to take control.