A pediatric assault nurse examiner delivered a stark warning during the Joint Committee to Study the Effects of Media on Minors meeting in Texas on January 7, 2025. She highlighted a troubling trend: an alarming number of minors are committing sexual assaults against other children. Data reveals that between one-third to nearly half of these offenders are themselves minors, with 14-year-old boys identified as the highest risk group.

The nurse emphasized the influence of explicit media on this disturbing behavior, citing research that links exposure to violent content with increased aggression in children. She recounted a harrowing case involving a 13-year-old girl assaulted by her brother, who was influenced by pornography. This incident underscores the dangers of children encountering graphic content online, often accidentally.

The nurse also pointed to a broader issue, noting that two-thirds of young people in the UK are addicted to online pornography, which can lead to severe psychological and physical consequences, including erectile dysfunction among adolescents. She shared alarming stories of exploitation, including minors being trafficked through social media platforms and coerced into sending explicit images.

The meeting highlighted the urgent need for action to address the mental health crisis stemming from the pervasive influence of technology and explicit media on youth. As the committee continues its discussions, the implications of these findings could lead to significant policy changes aimed at protecting children from the harmful effects of media exposure.