Patience Makwele
Health professionals and government officials have raised concern about the growing exposure to pornography in Namibia.
They say easy access to explicit content is affecting adults and children and is shaping sexual behaviour, mental health and relationships.
Medical specialists say pornography addiction among Namibian men and women is becoming a public health concern. They warn that children and adolescents are increasingly exposed to explicit material online.
Earlier this year, behavioural health specialist Dr Gerrit Keyter said pornography is influencing how young people understand relationships.
“Pornography is no longer just a private matter. It is shaping how our children understand relationships, intimacy, and consent. When they see this content before they are ready, it changes the way they view themselves and others,” he said.
A survey by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare found that about 63% of Namibian children had been exposed to disturbing images online. Nearly a third reported receiving sexually explicit content.
Teachers and school counsellors say exposure to online content is affecting behaviour at school.
“Students imitate what they see online. Some become aggressive; others think this is how relationships are supposed to be. Many parents have no idea this is happening in their own homes,” said life skills teacher Matilda Liisho.
Some parents say they struggle to discuss the issue with their children.
A parent who spoke to the Windhoek Observer yesterday on condition of anonymity said many parents feel unprepared.
“I didn’t know how to talk about these things. I thought ignoring it would protect them, but they are learning somewhere else, and it’s not healthy,” she said.
The single mother of three said she was shocked when she discovered her son watching explicit material online.
“I recently discovered my son was watching explicit content online. I realised I had avoided the conversation for too long. I thought he was too young, but he was already learning from the internet. That scared me,” she said.
According to health professionals, silence at home often leaves pornography as a main source of sexual information for young people.
A 16-year-old who asked to remain anonymous said many teenagers feel confused by what they see online.
“I see stuff online that I don’t really understand. My friends talk about it at school, and it makes me feel like I’m behind if I don’t know. I don’t know who to ask, so I just watch more,” the teenager said.
Another teen said watching explicit content sometimes leads to guilt.
“Sometimes it’s fun curiosity, but other times I feel weird and guilty afterwards. Nobody talks to me about it, not even my parents,” the teen said.
Psychologists say repeated exposure to pornography can affect mental health. They link compulsive viewing to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and difficulty forming healthy relationships.
“Children confuse fantasy with reality,” said Dr Keyter. “They feel shame and guilt and are afraid to talk about it, which only makes the problem worse.”
Social workers say some adolescents show aggression or withdraw socially after repeated exposure.
Law enforcement authorities have also raised concern. Several arrests linked to child pornography and the distribution of illegal content have required cooperation between the Namibian Police and international agencies such as Interpol.
Meanwhile, civil society groups say parents, schools and communities must respond to the problem.
Child protection advocate Tania Shikongo said young people need accurate information.
“Children need accurate information, and parents need tools to talk openly about sexuality. Without intervention, pornography continues to define how young people understand intimacy, relationships, and personal boundaries,” she said.
Advocates are calling on schools to include discussions about pornography and online safety in sex education programmes.
Parents are also encouraged to speak openly with their children about online content.
Experts say technology filters alone cannot solve the problem and that education and communication remain important.
“Children need to talk, ask questions, and understand what they see in the context of real life. Without that, pornography becomes their teacher,” Dr Keyter said.
