Editorial: ‘porn is shaping the sexual perceptions of young people'

Let’s be honest, we were all a bit curious about sex when we were teenagers, and many readers will remember sex education as being a bit innocent. It was sniggered about in hushed tones around the side of a shed, or down the back of the class when the teacher left the room.

Girls would sneak a copy of a Mills & Boon book from their mother’s nightstand or a copy of Playboy would be passed between the lads. Learning about the world of sex is a natural part of growing up.

But things have changed – drastically – as outlined in Rosalind Skillen’s article on page 12 on how pornography and, more importantly, sexual violence is shaping the perceptions and expectations of young Irish people.

This comes on the back of the recent announcement by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan that he intends to bring forward new proposals to criminalise extreme, violent pornography.

Violent sex isn’t a new concept but it was always very niche and quite unusual. However, as outlined by Ruth Breslin, the director of The Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy Institute in the piece, the internet and the increased accessibility of porn online has led to these violent acts becoming more mainstream. And it is warping young people’s experience and expectations of sex.

The concept of sex as being an intimate, loving and fun act is being replaced by something much more sinister. And GPs in rural Ireland are at the coalface of it. The piece outlines that there have been reports of some young people presenting to their doctors with injuries as a result of violent sexual behaviour, which medics suspect is influenced by pornography.

The concept of sex as being an intimate, loving and fun act is being replaced by something much more sinister. And GPs in rural Ireland are at the coalface of it

As a parent, this article does not make for easy reading, but equally I would argue it is essential reading. The sexual world that young people are now exposed to is very different to the teenage world we grew up in, and we need to help them navigate it.

And that’s where the talk comes in – and it needs to have a bit more depth than shoving a birds and bees book in their direction and saying, ‘give us a shout if you have any questions’.

Although it may not be an easy conversation to have, open communication is important, so if young people are in an uncomfortable situation, they know where to turn.

The ISPCC advises that when talking to young people about pornography, emphasise that it is fantasy and that they shouldn’t expect to look like these actors. This is especially important for girls, who feel pressure to look like models.

It is also important to highlight that there is a lot more to a healthy relationship than just having sex – and that pornography does not show that part of it. And one of the most important elements of the conversation is around consent – both for boys and girls. Set boundaries, remove any shame or blame and try to encourage questions.

What could help parents is the fact that from September 2027, a new curriculum will be introduced in schools which addresses the topics of pornography and consent. The new curriculum offers the chance for this to be discussed in the classroom, not in hushed tones, but in an open forum that highlights the dangers of pornography.