29. The Link Between Social Media And Porn

Welcome to episode #29! In this week's episode, Matt and Braden discuss the link between porn and social media, and how social media actually creates more disconnect in our lives than healthy connection.

Social Media Is Highly Addictive
Social media is designed to keep our attention. The various platforms are all created in a way to wire our brains to keep coming back for more. Even though there isn't anything inherently wrong with using social media, we do need to be aware that it can become a coping mechanism for stress that often eventually leads to porn.

Social Media Activates The Brain's Reward Center
Social media activates the limbic system (or 'reward center') in our brain by causing highly emotional 'feel-good' responses each time we get a notification, comment, or see a picture we like. That part of our brain then becomes overused and diminishes the power and development of the pre-frontal cortex (responsible for logic, decision-making, and problem solving). When this happens we are wired for needing social media to help us manage emotions and to make us feel better when we are dealing with negative emotions. This causes us to become hooked into an addictive lifestyle and unhealthy patterns. With our pre-frontal cortex now shut down, we are more susceptible to pornography and/or lustful graphics.

An Addictive Lifestyle Limits Connection With God, Others, And Ourselves
God has created us for connection. When we are battling an addiction with porn or even social media, we have a hard time connecting with others. We then miss out on what God has for us and lack healthy connections with others. This increases the likelihood of depression, anxiety, and overall discontentment with our lives.

 

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Next week, you'll hear about overcoming insecurities that can greatly impact us when we are battling pornography.

Resources
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Podcast Hosts
BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He has been married for 12 years to his wife Kristen, and they live in Edmonton, Alberta. He is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

MATT CLINE

Matt and his wife Louise raise their little guy, David, in Edmonton, Alberta. He is honored to do what he can to tackle the epidemic of pornography and sexual perversion in every way possible. Seeing lives and marriages get free and experience the love of God in profound ways is what drives him every day. He leads Restored Ministries, is a certified speaker and coach for the John Maxwell Team, and formerly played hockey in the WHL and for Hockey Canada. You can visit www.restoredministries.ca.