It seems as if we South African’s have a bit of a porn problem. Reports claim that ‘porn addiction’ is on the rise in our fair land, with kids as young as 15 being checked into therapy, and millions of rands being spent on porn subscriptions each month.

Worryingly, therapists and counsellors are concerned that if the problem is not treated effectively, porn addiction could lead to individuals “causing harm to themselves and others.”

Though compiling accurate data on porn consumption is a “daunting task,” several therapists have noted alarming increases in the number of patients being treated for porn addiction. Counsellors at Changes Treatment Centre in Johannesburg have noted an annual increase of between 10% and 30% in people presenting symptoms of porn addiction.

A running calculator on Covenant Eyes, the global internet accountability and filtering site, can reveal that more than 2 billion searches for pornography have been registered since the beginning of this year.

They call it a ‘disease of shame,’ and though not every abused child will develop an addiction to pornography or sex, abuse is present in all who present the addictions to us,” claims Addictions consultant Sheryl Rahme.

Family Policy Institute director, Errol Naidoo, is also concerned:

The addiction leads to a significant lack of self-respect and dignity. From porn, one cannot learn healthy sexual behaviour or how to have a healthy sex life.

[Source : Times Live]