Emily F. Rothman: How porn changes the way teens think about sex

How porn changes the way teens think about sex

"The free, online, mainstream pornography that teenagers are most likely to see is a completely terrible form of sex education," says public health researcher Emily F. Rothman. She shares how her mission to end dating and sexual violence led her to create a pornography literacy program that helps teens learn about consent and respect -- and invites them to think critically about sexually explicit media.

Mainstream online pornography is a poor substitute for real sex education, yet most teens see it before they graduate high school. Lacking reliable guidance elsewhere, adolescents often turn to these explicit materials to learn about sex and relationships. Honest, science-based conversations help them think critically about what they see and want. When teens are invited to grapple with complexity instead of scare tactics, they stay engaged and learn more about consent, respect, and healthy boundaries.