Emily F. Rothman on Teaching Teens to Think Critically About Porn
As teenagers navigate a digital landscape where porn is accessible at the tap of a screen, parents and educators face the challenge of guiding media literacy without shaming curiosity. Emily F. Rothman, a public health researcher focused on adolescent well-being, has long advocated for a frank, evidence-informed approach to conversations about sexuality and media. The aim isn’t to police what teens see, but to help them dissect messages, recognize unrealistic portrayals, and make healthier choices in real life.
Why critical media literacy matters
Porn often blends fantasy, performance, and marketing, creating distorted expectations about bodies, consent, and relationships. When teens encounter these narratives unmediated, they risk conflating fantasy with reality. Rothman’s framework centers on turning passive consumption into active analysis: who produced this, for whom, and to what effect? By asking targeted questions, teens learn to separate entertainment from instruction and to demand evidence about sexual health and consent in real life.
A practical framework to teach thinking skills
Rothman’s approach emphasizes three repeated rhythms: question, contextualize, and relate. First, question the content: what is being shown, what is being omitted, and what techniques are used to evoke emotion? Second, contextualize: consider production context, marketing goals, and cultural stereotypes. Third, relate: connect media messages to personal values, consent norms, and healthy relationship expectations. This cycle helps teens build resilience against sensationalized portrayals while preserving their curiosity and autonomy.
Paraphrase of Rothman: Discussing porn with teens is not about policing curiosity; it’s about equipping them with media literacy skills that support consent, safety, and respectful relationships.
Strategies for families and classrooms
- Create a safe, nonjudgmental space. Begin conversations with curiosity rather than accusation. Acknowledge that teens will encounter sexual content online and that questions are normal.
- Use clear, age-appropriate language. Define terms like consent, coercion, and boundaries in concrete terms teens can relate to their own lives.
- Provide concrete frameworks. Teach teens to ask: Who is the producer? What is the intended audience? What messages about power, bodies, and relationships are being reinforced?
- Highlight realism vs. fantasy. Discuss how porn often depicts unrealistic bodies, consent dynamics, and risk-free consent, and contrast that with real-world intimacy and safety.
- Balance information with skills. Pair content analysis with practice scenarios and decision-making exercises that focus on consent, communication, and respect.
Dialogues and activities that foster critical thinking
- Media-clip debriefs. Screen a short, age-appropriate clip or scenario and guide students or teens through the analytic questions: What’s being sold? What emotions is the scene trying to evoke? What would consent look like in this situation?
- Consent role-plays. Role-play conversations about boundaries in a way that centers mutual respect and clear communication.
- Comparative analysis. Compare a porn scene with a discussion of healthy sexual communication, consent, and emotional safety in real relationships.
- Question prompts for teens. Provide a slip-sheet with prompts like “What did the creators assume about who I am and what I want?” and “What would a healthier version look like?”
A sample pathway for implementation
In a classroom or family setting, begin with a single 20-minute discussion focused on one question: What messages are the creators trying to convey, and who benefits from those messages? Follow with a reflection activity where teens write or discuss how the content aligns or conflicts with their values and with safety norms. Over time, integrate ongoing conversations into broader topics—resilience, self-esteem, healthy boundaries, and consent education—so critical thinking about media becomes habitual.
Ultimately, teaching teens to think critically about porn is not about censorship; it’s about empowerment. When young people learn to analyze media messages and to articulate their own boundaries and values, they’re better prepared to navigate sexuality with respect for themselves and others. Emily F. Rothman’s lens—anchored in evidence, empathy, and practical dialogue—offers a clear path for educators and families aiming to foster healthier, more informed conversations in an ever-connected world.