Episode 35: Teens Addicted to Porn & Screens? 70%+ Exposed by Age 13 – The Missing Skill Parents Can Help Restore NOW

About this episode

Matt Bulkley discusses the impact of technology on teen pornography addiction and offers a roadmap for parents to help their children.

Is your teen "checking out" into a world of endless scrolling and secret pornography use? You aren't alone—and it isn't just about "bad choices." Summary: In this episode, licensed psychotherapist Matt Bulkley (founder of Therapy Associates and Star Guides) pulls back the curtain on why 70% of teens are exposed to pornography by age 13 and why technology has become the "universal escape hatch" for adolescent anxiety. Matt explains the neurological link between tech dependency and lost coping skills, revealing how constant stimulation has stripped a generation of the ability to "just be." More importantly, he provides a practical, evidence-based 5-step roadmap to help your family move from restriction to regulation. In this episode, you’ll learn: The Science of Presence: Why sitting with boredom is the ultimate "anti-addiction" skill. The "Digital Reset": How to model regulation so your teen actually listens. The Emotion Wheel: Tools to move your teen from "numbing out" to "opening up." Leo’s Story: A real-life case study of a 16-year-old who traded Discord addiction for real-world confidence. When to Step Up: How to identify the "Red Flags" that signal a need for professional…

People in this episode

Host: Matt Bulkley

Topics covered

• teen pornography addiction
• technology dependency
• coping skills
• parenting strategies
• mental health
• adolescent anxiety

Keywords

• pornography addiction
• teenagers
• mental health
• coping skills
• technology
• parenting
• anxiety

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Therapy Associates, Star Guides, Star Guides Wilderness Therapy

Products: The Recovery Toolbox for Teens

More episodes of Parent Guide for Helping Your Teen Overcome Pornography Addiction

• Episode 48: Are Religious Teens More Vulnerable to Porn Addiction? (What 2025–2026 Research Reveals) · June 11, 2026 · 25 min
• Episode 47: Dopamine, ADHD, & Porn: The Perfect Storm in Teen Boys · June 2, 2026 · 30 min
• Episode 46: The Hidden Trigger: Why Covered, Partial & Pixelated Images Hook Teens More Than Nudity · May 26, 2026 · 20 min
• Episode 45: How Your Teen’s Mind Lies to Them During Porn Cravings · May 21, 2026 · 19 min
• Episode 44: Why Your Teen Craves More Extreme Porn: The Tolerance Trap · May 16, 2026 · 29 min
• Episode 43: Gaming Is Secretly Fueling Your Teen’s Porn Addiction – What Every Parent Must Know · May 5, 2026 · 21 min