Porn Literacy: Raising Sexually Intelligent Young People

Abstract

Porn literacy is a framework from which young people can critically examine and make sense of the sexual images they see. Research supports the fact that young people are either actively searching for porn or viewing it accidentally. In this technologically savvy world, young people need to feel comfortable talking to someone about what they have seen, if not, pornography may be their only sex educator, giving them an unrealistic view of sexuality and sexual relationships. This presentation discusses an education forum directed at educators, youth and community workers where porn literacy and strategies to work with young people, are examined in depth. The forum includes the history of pornography and explores the continuing moral panic associated with this topic. Practical strategies to deal with the continuing issue of young people’s exposure to pornography are explored, giving participants ways to initiate discussions with young people regarding pornography and equip them with the skills to critically examine the imagery.