DigiHelp Publishing was founded in 2021 by Marshall Ballantine-Jones in response to growing concerns about adolescent exposure to pornography and sexualised content on social media.
“Though I’d worked with teens for decades and ran a school publishing business, my PhD research revealed the scale of their struggle,” says Marshall. Today’s youth face saturation from sexualised media, targeted by tech platforms and porn industries aiming to desensitise, influence, and reshape young minds toward objectification, selfishness, and addiction.
In Australia, pornography and social media use among young people is higher than ever. The average age of first exposure to pornography is 11.5 years, with around 70 per cent of boys and 21 per cent of girls viewing it regularly. Even beyond explicit material, social media is saturated with sexualised imagery that promotes objectification and unhealthy attitudes towards relationships and sex.
Excessive social media use has also been linked to negative mental health outcomes, including social comparison, narcissistic behaviours, and reduced attention span. Despite these challenges, many parents and teachers feel unequipped to guide children through these complex issues.
“Though I’d worked with teens for decades and ran a school publishing business, my PhD research revealed the scale of their struggle,” says Marshall. Today’s youth face saturation from sexualised media, targeted by tech platforms and porn industries aiming to desensitise, influence, and reshape young minds toward objectification, selfishness, and addiction.
In Australia, pornography and social media use among young people is higher than ever. The average age of first exposure to pornography is 11.5 years, with around 70 per cent of boys and 21 per cent of girls viewing it regularly. Even beyond explicit material, social media is saturated with sexualised imagery that promotes objectification and unhealthy attitudes towards relationships and sex.
Excessive social media use has also been linked to negative mental health outcomes, including social comparison, narcissistic behaviours, and reduced attention span. Despite these challenges, many parents and teachers feel unequipped to guide children through these complex issues.
By 2016, growing international concern had emerged over the wellbeing of children and teenagers navigating life in the digital age. The widespread use of smartphones and broadband access had led to unprecedented exposure to online content. Studies around the world were already documenting the harmful impact of pornography on young people, yet few were focused on practical solutions. “This set me on an urgent quest,” recalls Marshall.
That same year, Marshall commenced a PhD in Medicine with the goal of developing effective interventions to address compulsive pornography use and other sexualised behaviours in adolescents. Through his research, he identified key gaps in existing sex education programs and went on to design an evidence-based intervention that promoted wellbeing, reduced pornography use, and improved attitudes towards women.
Research shows education alone isn’t enough against porn and social media impacts. Four key factors shape youth wellbeing: parental influence, peer influence, age of first exposure, and compulsivity. Parents model attitudes, communicate values, and set boundaries. Peers define “normal” cultural expectations. Without strong parental involvement, healthy peers, and delayed exposure, harmful behaviours rise.
By 2016, growing international concern had emerged over the wellbeing of children and teenagers navigating life in the digital age. The widespread use of smartphones and broadband access had led to unprecedented exposure to online content. Studies around the world were already documenting the harmful impact of pornography on young people, yet few were focused on practical solutions. “This set me on an urgent quest,” recalls Marshall.
That same year, Marshall commenced a PhD in Medicine with the goal of developing effective interventions to address compulsive pornography use and other sexualised behaviours in adolescents. Through his research, he identified key gaps in existing sex education programs and went on to design an evidence-based intervention that promoted wellbeing, reduced pornography use, and improved attitudes towards women.
Research shows education alone isn’t enough against porn and social media impacts. Four key factors shape youth wellbeing: parental influence, peer influence, age of first exposure, and compulsivity. Parents model attitudes, communicate values, and set boundaries. Peers define “normal” cultural expectations. Without strong parental involvement, healthy peers, and delayed exposure, harmful behaviours rise.
DigiHelp Today
Today, DigiHelp is committed to supporting the wellbeing and education of young people in all contexts. DigiHelp visits schools across Australia, delivering seminars and implementing curriculum-based programs. These sessions engage students, parents, and teachers in open and constructive discussions about pornography, social media, and digital wellbeing.
What We Do
DigiHelp’s mission is to empower school communities against online sexualised media’s harms. By integrating evidence-based pedagogy and age-appropriate, engaging content—shaped through active listening to real needs—we equip students and schools with the skills and resources needed for healthier relationships and online habits. Using the latest research, we sharpen critical thinking while rallying parents to guide children in questioning toxic messages and embracing healthy, respectful relationships.