Help my son

[SomePerson94]

I have a son who when he was 5-8 didn't get hard but he would always touch himself, nothing came out of course but he still touched himself. When he was 10 all the way till today he touches himself a lot. What effects might this have on him and how do I help him stop touching himself.

[SomePerson94]

Yes it's true it actually is me, I've been dealing with depression for a long time and I think that's why I excessively masturbate. I've been having a lot of problems going on at my home. In my religion it's not good to masturbate. I'm currently in college but I still live in my house and I don't want to tell anyone about me excessively masturbating because they'll be really ashamed of me. I'm afraid my mom might have a heart attack if she finds out.

[Sandman2]

While the masturbation can be normal, the depression is the thing that needs to be dealt with.  There is a good chance that if that is dealt with -other things will get better.  
    Colleges are set up to help their students having problems.  They deal with this all the time.  Talk to someone in the medical facility or to your school counselor and tell them that you are having problems with depression.  You don't have to mention the masturbation.  Depression on college campus is a big deal and they should be able to help you.

[AnnieBrooke]

It's a pretty normal activity for older boys and young men (old men, too, let's face it).  I know in some cultures it is frowned upon but according to human-sexuality experts, there is nothing wrong with it.  Doing it in front of someone (who is not one's sexual partner) would not fit in that category, but simply masturbating is considered a normal human thing to do.

[SomePerson94]

He's not doing it in front of me but I walked in on him one time and he told me about the stuff he did

[AnnieBrooke]

If he is doing it in front of you, just explain to him that this is an activity to reserve for when he is in private and alone.  Some kids with sensory-deprivation issues will touch themselves or even masturbate in places like at school or when under stress, but you are not saying this is something he does in public.  If he is just an average kid and sometimes he touches himself, that is actually pretty normal.  Usually kids don't do this where their parents can observe it.  Make sure he is clear on that point -- it's a private activity.

[SomePerson94]

Also he touches himself more than once a day