You might think this is a question being suggested by those with a particularly religious agenda, but pornography is fast becoming recognised across society as the most dangerous ‘new drug‘ around. Indeed, Billie Eilish recently opened up about how watching porn as a child ‘destroyed [her] brain’, and a recent BBC article said that, ‘studies suggest half of under-11s have seen pornography’.
Following research with young people, the same article reports that Dame Rachel de Souza has ‘advised parents and carers to create a safe, judgement-free space to talk about such issues before a crisis emerges….It’s better to do that before you hit a problem rather than trying to create that mood while you’re dealing with one or discovering later that they hadn’t felt able to tell you,’ she said.
‘It takes a lot of bravery for a child to share their experiences of abuse or harassment. Parents and carers are telling me they want to match that bravery in getting to grips with these issues.’
It’s frightening to think about, but it’s also remiss of us if we hide away from the ugly truths that we’re presented with in our society. The reality of children viewing pornography online is one of the ugly realities that parents and educators must face in order to protect the children and young people in their care.
Through our Primary and Secondary Life to the Full programmes, we offer resources and support to teachers and parents as they navigate speaking to children and young people about pornography.
Age-Appropriate Teaching about Pornography in Primary Schools
In the Primary Life to the Full programme for Upper Key Stage Two, we provide an optional session which addresses the risks that children face from seeing pornographic images and videos online. On the one hand, this is very much a lesson about ‘internet safety’ and therefore falls under the statutory Health Education curriculum. However, some schools and parents may also consider that this falls under the non-statutory Sex Education curriculum. We encourage schools and their parents to make their own decision about this. We appreciate the delicate nature of these decisions and know that different schools and dioceses will have different opinions on the most appropriate approach.
Teaching about Pornography in Secondary Schools
The Secondary Life to the Full programme reflects the statutory requirements for Sex Education.
The Year 9 lesson entitled ‘Love People, Use Things’ teaches about sexual intimacy, as well as exploring some key issues regarding sexual desire, casual sex, pornography and masturbation. This lesson reflects what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, when it states that pornography ‘…does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public), since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others. It immerses all who are involved in the illusion of a fantasy world.’ (CCC, 2354). As the title suggests, the lesson empowers pupils to love people and use things, rather than the other way around.
One of our new Year 11 sessions is titled ‘Pornography’. The session looks at ‘adult content’ in a mature way: asking questions about how it affects people’s behaviour, how it affects the way people think about themselves, others and their relationships. Our Life to the Full presenters, Mairi and Nathan, introduce Isaac and Charlotte, who speak frankly and honestly about their own struggles with pornography. The ultimate takeaway for pupils is that sexual desire is powerful: making sexual desire a part of authentic love is a lifelong challenge and responsibility, but one that leads to maturity and fulfilment.
Discussing Difficult Topics at Home
We know that it’s not always easy for parents and carers to have discussions around difficult topics, especially when children may be self-conscious in telling them. As part of each Life to the Full subscription, schools are able to give parents access to the Ten Ten Online Parent Portal where they can find out more about the content of what their child will be learning in class. When they log on, parents and carers will also find some helpful conversation starter suggestions, activities and prayers that they may wish to use with their child to explore topics and themes further.
If you are a subscribing school who has not yet utilised the Ten Ten Online Parent Portal, you can find out more information in the Parent section of your Life to the Full homepage.
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