Grade by Grade
D. Healthy Living · Healthy Living

Media Smarts: Understanding the Impact of Sexually Explicit Media

D1.3 A1.6 A1.2About 40 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can explain what sexually explicit media is, in simple words.
  • I can describe how viewing sexually explicit media, including pornography, can give a limited or distorted idea of relationships, gender and bodies.
  • I can say what to do if I see sexually explicit media or someone shows it to me.

Words to know

media
Ways of sharing information and entertainment, such as videos, websites, apps, games, TV, music and pictures.
sexually explicit media
Pictures, videos or other media that show naked bodies or sexual activity. They are made for adults, not children.
pornography
One kind of sexually explicit media, made to show sexual activity. It is for adults only. Sometimes called porn.
distorted
Twisted or changed so that it isn't accurate or true to real life.
gender norms
Ideas in a society about how people of a certain gender are "supposed" to look or act.
body image
How you think and feel about your own body.

Not everything on a screen is real

You already know that ads are edited, influencers are often paid, and movies use stunt doubles and special effects. Media doesn't always show real life. Today's topic is one kind of media that is for adults only: sexually explicit media. Many young people come across it by accident online, through a search, a pop-up, a link in a game chat, or someone showing them on a phone. This lesson will help you understand why it gives a distorted picture of real life and what to do if you see it.

What is it?

Sexually explicit media means pictures, videos or other media that show naked bodies or sexual activity. Pornography is one kind. It is made for adults, and many websites and apps say you must be an adult to view it.

It's normal to be curious about bodies and relationships as you grow up. But sexually explicit media is not a good place to learn about them. Trusted adults, health class and reliable health sources are better places.

What sexually explicit media often showsWhat real, healthy relationships are like
People who don't talk, check in or ask for consentPeople communicate, ask, listen, and respect a no
Relationships that are only about bodiesRelationships built on caring, trust, friendship, respect and equality
Harmful gender norms, such as one gender always in control and the other treated like an objectBoth people are equals whose feelings and choices matter
Bodies that are unusual, edited or changed by surgery and camera tricks, shown as if they were normalReal bodies come in all shapes, sizes and looks, and all are normal
Actors performing a script for moneyReal people with real feelings
Sexually explicit media gives a limited and distorted view compared with real life.

Why it matters

The Ontario curriculum names three main impacts of viewing sexually explicit media:

  1. A limited or distorted understanding of relationships. It leaves out consent, communication, caring and respect, which are the most important parts of a healthy relationship.
  2. It reinforces harmful gender norms. It often shows people treated unfairly or disrespectfully because of their gender, which can shape how viewers think people should act.
  3. It promotes an unrealistic or idealized body image. Comparing yourself to edited, unusual bodies can make people feel bad about their own normal, healthy bodies.

Seeing it can also feel confusing, upsetting or scary, especially for young people. Those feelings are understandable.

If you see it: Close, Don't share, Tell

  1. Close it. Shut the window, turn off the screen, or look away and walk away.
  2. Don't share it. Don't send it, forward it or show others. Sharing it can hurt others and can get you in trouble.
  3. Tell a trusted adult. You are not in trouble for seeing something by accident. A parent can help you talk about it and set up filters to block it.

If anyone shows you sexually explicit media, asks you to watch it, asks you to send pictures of your body, or tells you to keep it secret: that is not okay. Tell a trusted adult right away. It is never your fault.

1. Close itshut the window,turn off thescreen or look away2. Don't sharedon't send,forward orshow others...3. Tella trusted adult.You're not introuble.
If you see it: Close, Don't share, Tell. Telling is always the right move, and it is never your fault.
Worked example

Let's handle an accidental click

Ben is searching for a video game cheat code. He clicks a link, and a page with naked pictures pops up. He feels shocked and a bit curious, and he's worried he'll get in trouble.

  1. Close it: Ben closes the tab right away.
  2. Notice his feelings: shocked, curious, worried. All are normal reactions.
  3. Don't share: he doesn't tell his friends to look it up.
  4. Tell: he tells his mom, "Something weird popped up when I was searching." His mom thanks him for telling her and turns on safe search and filters.
  5. Remember: accidents happen online, and telling is the right move.

Ben did all three steps: Close, Don't share, Tell. He's not in trouble.

Worked example

Let's think critically about a message

Someone at school says, "That's how real relationships work. I saw it online." Use what you've learned to think about this.

  1. Who made it, and why? Sexually explicit media is usually made by companies to make money, with actors following a script.
  2. What's missing? Communication, consent, caring, respect and equality.
  3. What's distorted? Gender roles and bodies are often unrealistic.
  4. Conclusion: It's not an accurate picture of real relationships. Real healthy relationships are built on respect and consent.

Asking "Who made this, why, and what's missing?" helps you see through distorted media.

Who made it?usually a company,with actorsfollowing a scriptWhy?to makemoneyWhat's missing?communication,consent, caring,respect, equality
Three critical-thinking questions that work for any media, used here to see why this kind of media is not a picture of real relationships.
Hands-on activity

Media detective: real or not real?

You need: a grown-up, and a magazine, flyer or ordinary ad you can look at together (not explicit media).

  1. With your grown-up, look at ads or photos of people. Find signs of editing: very smooth skin, perfect lighting, unusual body shapes.
  2. Talk about how comparing yourself to edited images could affect body image.
  3. Together, set up or check safe search and parental controls on devices you use.
  4. Write Close, Don't share, Tell on a sticky note and put it near the family computer or charging spot.

What to look for: your child can name at least two signs of editing and say the three steps from memory. (Parents: please do not use sexually explicit media for this activity.)

Your turn

1

In your own words, what is sexually explicit media?

2

Name the three impacts of viewing sexually explicit media named in the curriculum.

3

What are the three steps if you see it?

4

Are you in trouble if something pops up by accident?

5

What important parts of real relationships does sexually explicit media often leave out?

6

Where are better places to learn about bodies and relationships?

More practice: warm-up

1

True or false: sexually explicit media is made for children.

2

True or false: the bodies shown in sexually explicit media are what most bodies look like.

3

Should you forward a sexually explicit image to a friend?

4

What is body image?

5

Is it normal to feel curious about bodies as you grow up?

More practice: on your own

1

What does distorted mean, and why is that word used here?

2

What is a gender norm? Give an example of a harmful one.

3

How could comparing yourself to edited images affect your mental health?

4

An older student shows you something explicit on their phone at the park. What should you do?

5

Name one way families can reduce the chance of seeing explicit media by accident.

Challenge

1

Explain why sexually explicit media is a poor way to learn about relationships. Use at least two of the three impacts.

2

Someone online sends you a message: "Want to see something cool? Don't tell your parents." What warning signs do you notice, and what do you do?

3

Why do you think the curriculum wants Grade 6 students to learn about this topic?

Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

Sexually explicit media is made for...

2.

Which is an impact of viewing sexually explicit media named in the curriculum?

3.

If something explicit pops up by accident, you should...

4.

Bodies shown in sexually explicit media are often...

5.

What does sexually explicit media usually leave out?

6.

Someone online asks you to watch something and keep it secret. You should...

For parents and teachers

Big idea: This lesson covers the Grade 6 expectation to demonstrate an understanding of the impacts of viewing sexually explicit media, including pornography (e.g., leads to a limited or distorted understanding of relationships; reinforces harmful gender norms; promotes an unrealistic or idealized body image) (D1.3). It builds critical thinking (A1.6) and coping and help-seeking (A1.2).

About this content: This lesson is part of Ontario's human development and sexual health expectations for Grade 6. In Ontario, parents may request that their child be exempted (opted out) of human development and sexual health instruction at school; ask your school about its process. If your family has opted out, you may skip this lesson at home too, or teach the topic in your own way and in line with your family's values.

What this lesson does and does not include: It defines sexually explicit media in one plain sentence, explains the three impacts named in the curriculum, and teaches a safety plan (Close, Don't share, Tell). It does not show, link to or describe any explicit content.

How to help at home:

  • Tell your child clearly: "If you ever see something like that, you will not be in trouble for telling me." Then keep that promise and stay calm if they do.
  • Use safe search, parental controls and filters, and keep devices in shared spaces, especially at night.
  • Talk about your family's values about relationships and respect.

Warning signs to know: an adult or older youth showing a child explicit material, or anyone asking a child for images or secrecy, can be a sign of grooming. Contact police, and you can report online exploitation to Cybertip.ca.

Common difficulties: embarrassment, or worry about being punished for something they saw by accident.