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Sarah Simons is Brook’s Participation Manager, working with young people across the UK to ensure their voices shape the relationships and sex education (RSE) they receive. This Sexual Health Week, she shares how Brook’s 16–19 Participation Advisory Group (PAG) has co-designed an innovative new lesson on pornography awareness – and why this matters for older teens and young adults.
In my role as Brook’s Participation Manager, I have the privilege of working alongside our national 16–19 Participation Advisory Group (PAG). Over the past year, the group have co-designed a new RSE lesson focused on pornography awareness.The group recognised that, by the time they reach 16 and move into Key Stage 5, many young people stop receiving RSE – if they were lucky enough to receive any at all. RSE is not mandatory at this stage, which is often when teenagers are changing schools or starting at a new sixth form or college. The group reflected that RSE at this point would have helped them navigate changes in friendships and relationships and make sense of what they were seeing online.
“This lesson is important, especially at key stage 5, because a lot of the members are over the age of consent, meaning they may be having these experiences. Young people basing their own experiences off of what they may have seen online can be harmful, as online content can push harmful stereotypes and content (such as what a ‘normal’ body looks like, and what’s ‘normal’ during sex).”
16–19 Brook PAG member
At 16 and 17, young people are actively shaping their sense of self and forming relationships, making it crucial to address the influence of pornography. Much of what is available online can present distorted and harmful ideas about sex, consent and body image.“One thing I’ve often repeated (and know others in the PAG have too) is that RSE is a continuous lesson, learning new things or developing fresh ideas as we get older, and should be treated this way instead of having an arbitrary cut-off when the powers that be assume we know enough.” 16–19 Brook PAG member
“We were never told about intercourse so people turn to other sources like pornography.”16–19 Brook PAG memberThe group could have chosen many topics for their lesson. They chose pornography because most young people encounter it, whether intentionally or by accident, and they want to talk about it in a safe space.According to the 2025 report by the Children’s Commissioner for England, more children have reported encountering pornography online over the past two years. Harmful algorithms increasingly push inappropriate content to them, rather than young people actively searching for it. The report highlights that X (formerly Twitter) continues to be the leading platform where children and young people encounter pornography, ahead of websites specifically created for it.
“Twitter is a cesspool for porn.”
Young person, RSE pilot workshopWhen we asked the group where young people might come across pornography, they unanimously said “online”. This includes social media, website pop-ups and friends sharing what they have found. Everyone knows of the platform OnlyFans.“Pornography is undeniably a part of a lot of other young people’s experiences online, and as adult material it’s important for young people to understand what makes it unrealistic, especially considering young people may not have had the experiences they see online; and that can skew expectations. By providing these lessons, young people can have a place to ask questions about things they’ve seen or read in a non-judgemental environment.”16–19 Brook PAG member
The group were keen to create an RSE lesson that speaks to their age group. They designed activities that encourage open conversations among peers about pornography, rather than a teacher simply presenting a slideshow. They want other young people to understand that curiosity about sex is completely normal, but it should be balanced with reliable information and not shaped by pornography.
“In fact it’s good to talk about topics such as pornography.”
The lesson will join Brook’s new ‘Exploring Series’ of RSE lessons. It is designed to be flexible and responsive to the needs of each group. Brook facilitators are encouraged to follow the flow of discussion, allowing more time where conversations are meaningful or moving on when energy dips. This reflects the principles of open enquiry: creating a safe space for young people to lead their own learning through dialogue, curiosity and reflection.
The main aim, shaped by the group’s ideas, is to help young people critically explore the influence of pornography on sex, relationships and society, and to recognise healthy sexual behaviour as consensual, safe and mutually enjoyable.
This lesson provides a supportive environment where young people can discuss how pornography might shape expectations and beliefs about sex, bodies, consent and pleasure. It encourages reflection on the difference between healthy, consensual sexual behaviour and harmful or aggressive acts. Above all, it promotes understanding of consent, safety, communication and enjoyment as the foundation of positive sexual experiences.
“It identifies that most people in this age group will have already encountered pornography and have personal experiences with it, instead of introducing it like this big, scary thing. I found that in RSE lessons as a child and younger teen, it was always assumed that you were hearing the lesson material for the first time, which will have been true for some, but could feel quite alienating to those who didn’t feel they were hearing anything new. As a result, I often felt ‘wrong’ for knowing things I assumed my peers didn’t. This lesson does a good job of acknowledging more than one level of prior knowledge which I think is well suited to the age group it is designed for.” 16–19 Brook PAG member
We are piloting the new lesson with Brook’s education teams this autumn and will evaluate it with young people as we go. Once finalised, Brook will launch the lesson next year and invite PAG members to co-write a blog about their experience of developing it. Our goal is to roll it out alongside Brook’s wider suite of RSE resources so that more young people can benefit from this empowering, co-designed resource.
“It’s brilliant and love to see older teens/young adults not being forgotten when it comes to sex education! Love it, and love knowing people in my age group will be having these exceptionally important conversations!”16–19 Brook PAG member
Our new pornography session will be launched next year, but we already offer a range of resources to support educators. If you are unsure how to answer difficult questions about pornography, how to explain the law or how to make sure your lessons are effective, Brook can help.Find out how Brook can help