A recent symposium and current Senate Enquiry are drawing attention to the harm being done to Australian children through access to pornography on the Internet. While the topic of pornography is difficult to discuss with teenagers, research suggests the conversation is urgently needed. The primary concerns raised by child healthy experts relate to the accessibility and nature of internet pornography.

Consent in relationships can be a confusing concept for teenagers. Clarity is lost in the sea of endless ‘What if?’ scenarios … What if she says ‘yes’ to begin with, and then says ‘no’? Do you need to ask? What if you can just tell that she’s keen? Do guys need to give consent? Is consent needed for foreplay, or just sex? What if they’re drunk? 

Unfortunately the porn-saturated world of teenagers only adds to the confusion, a point made often by those on the pointy end of law enforcement. 

This confusion is why I’m thankful for tools that offer clarity to consent. And the short clip Consent is like a Cup of Tea is a good one. 

“Who believes Australia has a drinking problem?” 

I scan the room of teenagers and see a few raised hands and a few shaking heads. Many are not sure how to respond. Perhaps it is an unfair question. After all, it's nearly impossible for them to evaluate objectively the culture in which they are immersed, one that celebrates binge drinking and risk-taking behaviour as their rite of passage. 

"Perth researchers are alarmed by high school students' no-holds-barred attitude to leavers, with many planning to drink to oblivion and boys regarding girls as easy targets for sex," Cathy O'Leary reports in the West Australian. The candid comments made by students as part of the study are disturbing. 

Sexting is here to stay. Despite its legal and social implications, the sending and receiving of nude images and texts between teenagers is becoming increasingly routine. Some students participate voluntarily, while other students report being pressured into sending 'nudes'.