Pro-porn Childline film encouraging kids to google BDSM etc

[Sunkisses]

Jeez, just seen this from the Safe Schools Alliance UK on twitter. Six years ago Childline produced this pro-porn film which is basically an advert for PornHub masquerading as a child protection resource. It tells children that porn is "fun" & recommends genres like BDSM to google. It's had over 3 million views in the last 6 years, and goodness knows how much it has contributed to the rape culture we are now seeing in schools. It is illegal for under 18s to view porn, and children should be taught this and the harms of pornography, not encouraged to view it with a nod, nod, wink, wink attitude.

You can view the Safe Schools Alliance UK tweet here: twitter.com/SafeSchools_UK/status/1379528765261381634

SSAUK are calling on Childline and the NSPCC (who run Childline) to take this film down.

The Government should bring in age-verification for online porn ASAP to prevent children having easy access to online porn. All the laws have been passed, and the regulatory framework is in place. The Government bottled it at the last minute in 2019 after facing pressure from the powerful porn industry. Our children deserve better.

@ASugarr

Question: Since many of you think discussing pornography before being able to legally consume it is wrong, Then do you think the same about teaching those under the age of 16 about safe sex is the same? Do you consider it promoting have sex?

Because here's the thing, the government have already tried to run programs to telling young people "Don't have sex" and/or "Don't watch porn". And guess what? It didn't work. Pregnancy rates roses, porn consumption rised and even sexual assault cases rised. Because telling young people "Don't do this" without stating the facts as to why some people do and why it is and isn't okay is what they need to know to make a healthy choice for themselves.

Sorry my autocorrect is terrible... Promoting *to have sex Not roses, rises

Since many of you think discussing pornography before being able to legally consume it is wrong, Then do you think the same about teaching those under the age of 16 about safe sex is the same? Do you consider it promoting have sex?

We are not disputing discussing porn with children. We are very clearly disputing the use of this video as any kind of resource for explaining the negative affects of porn, on the individual and on society.

What parts of the many posts relating to the message conveyed by this very video are not clear?

What part of the ‘fun and fine’ message do you think is not promoting porn?

What part of the humour used when discussing the age restriction is not encouraging a child to believe it isn’t important?

What part of the presenter jokingly referring to wanting porn star dimensions is not reinforcing the message that these bodies are not realistic and you shouldn’t compare yourself to them?

This is just a start. The questions have been asked before. As have many others specifically relating to this video’s content.

You keep stating that porn should be discussed and it is healthy to do so. We do not disagree that porn should be discussed. We are disagreeing with the lack of balance in this video and disagreeing with the use of ‘child pornography’.

ASugarr

I can't tell you the number of people who have come on here to tell everyone that 'it's just sex education for children'. The last time, I believe was all about how children could play a dice game to shove objects up eachother's rectums.

The time before that it was teen vogue calling 13 year olds girls non prostate owners and telling them that if anal hurts, use more lube. And completely forgetting girls have a clitoris.

The time before that it was paperchase jumping on the bandwagon selling valentine cards instructing girls to have anal sex to prove their love.

All because 'kids will do it anyway' and need instruction.

Telling kids to Google bdsm, bemoaning the fact you don't look like a porn star and offering some very dodgy confessional about how you used to treat women, ISN'T healthy sex education.

You must know that.

@ASugarr

Question: Since many of you think discussing pornography before being able to legally consume it is wrong, Then do you think the same about teaching those under the age of 16 about safe sex is the same? Do you consider it promoting have sex?

Because here's the thing, the government have already tried to run programs to telling young people "Don't have sex" and/or "Don't watch porn". And guess what? It didn't work. Pregnancy rates roses, porn consumption rised and even sexual assault cases rised. Because telling young people "Don't do this" without stating the facts as to why some people do and why it is and isn't okay is what they need to know to make a healthy choice for themselves.

Where do you live? Out of interest.

When are you talking about that abstinence was taught? I've heard about that in USA. I don't remember it being taught here generally. (Some religious schools maybe? But even my friends at an all girl's RC school with nuns got told about 'the rhythm method' 35 years ago.

This is what happens all the time isn't it.

'Since many of you think discussing pornography before being able to legally consume it is wrong, Then do you think the same about teaching those under the age of 16 about safe sex is the same? Do you consider it promoting have sex?'

No one has said that. Are you reading what people say? I don't get it.

Are you just arguing with what you think people say and think?

It's boring. Really boring.

No engagement. This weird suggestion that all the women on here are keen on some kind of bonkers chastity thing I saw on a prog about the USA once.

And you're still talking about older age groups. In the UK it's illegal to have sex with s child under 13. No excuses. So... No government campaign unless you're referring to the law?

Because telling young people "Don't do this" without stating the facts as to why some people do and why it is and isn't okay is what they need to know to make a healthy choice for themselves.

Yes. As well as being very blunt about those statistics that show negative affects now and in the future.

Yes, as well as case studies on how addictive it can be.

Yes. As well as focusing on consent. Not being jocular about by passing age restrictions. If the message actually conveyed there that government restrictions shouldn’t be taken seriously, what other messages shouldn’t be taken seriously?

Oh. And one I discovered personally had effected my family, they should also be informed that passing on child sex abuse in any form is wrong and no joking matter. Even if it ‘just a jokey child sex abuse story’.

In the UK it's illegal to have sex with s child under 13.

Just to clarify it's illegal to have sex with a child under 16, 18 if the partner is in a position of authority such as doctor or teacher. Offence is "sexual activity with a child".

It's automatically rape if the child is under 13.

Well yes.

But where the hell is the idea that the government has pushed abstinence come from? I mean I've not heard of it and I'm nearly 50. Religion has. But the government?

I'm from the UK. This can be taught from ages 12 and up.
Also, the video TomSka created was for his YouTube channel, not the usual audience for child line meaning it was clearly catered for the age range we are discussing. Plus it didn't have any material about openly searching for porn, but just giving information on what it is, what people use it for and what to be aware of.

Reposting Stampyfeet's post from yesterday:

yeahbut I don't know why you are saying the video doesn't tell children to watch porn. The video says "If you want to see more than straight white people getting it on, you might have to be a little more specific. There are plenty of types of porn including but not limited to softcore, hardcore, lesbian, thespian, interracial, facial, alternative, conservative, hentai, Far Cry, BDSM, NEDM, amateur, mature and swan disco. However, if none of that stuff floats your boat then fear not because if the internet has taught us anything, it's that if it exists, there is porn of it."

What is that if not suggesting to children different porn terms to google?

Where on earth have you had safeguarding training from if you think "child porn" is an acceptable term to use when you are providing education to children and young people?

Are you unable to connect the dots between telling young people "porn can be fun and normal" and then using the term "porn" to refer to imagery which is inherently illegal and abusive in nature?

What message does that send to victims of CSA who are listening?

Obviously you can explain that some people (especially those who produce or consume it, and are therefore apologists for it) may use the clearly outdated term "child porn" (which is being increasingly replaced in MSM), but solely to clarify that what's under discussion is actually illegal and abusive and should never, ever be normalised.

Who wants to try to keep outdated, inaccurate terminology like that in circulation?

@CousinKrispy

Where on earth have you had safeguarding training from if you think "child porn" is an acceptable term to use when you are providing education to children and young people?

Are you unable to connect the dots between telling young people "porn can be fun and normal" and then using the term "porn" to refer to imagery which is inherently illegal and abusive in nature?

What message does that send to victims of CSA who are listening?

Obviously you can explain that some people (especially those who produce or consume it, and are therefore apologists for it) may use the clearly outdated term "child porn" (which is being increasingly replaced in MSM), but solely to clarify that what's under discussion is actually illegal and abusive and should never, ever be normalised.

Who wants to try to keep outdated, inaccurate terminology like that in circulation?

It is the most commonly used term. That's why I mentioned it here. Never said it is the exact term used in classes.

Question: Since many of you think discussing pornography before being able to legally consume it is wrong,

This is NOT what posters here are saying. In fact many are saying they discuss it with their kids.

The point where he says that porn is like chicken nuggets; if you knew how it was made you wouldn't enjoy it...

That's a hell of a lot too gloss over.

Ugh.

@moofolk

The point where he says that porn is like chicken nuggets; if you knew how it was made you wouldn't enjoy it...

That's a hell of a lot too gloss over.

Yes, however it isn't down to TomSka and child line to discuss all of this. That is what comes from parents and sexual health workers.

Quite crass to use such a dismissive, flippant analogy to allude to rape, trafficking, coercion and exploitation of women and girls. But I suppose that's A OK with some people.

That's why it is actually important to talk about because it usually will spark a conversation where we can help those who are vulnerable
This is not a good way to find out if a child is suffering sexual abuse.
For many many reasons.

I'm shocked, shocked I tell you that a charity whose first response to a member of stuff posting a video of themselves on social media talking about wanking whilst wearing a rubber suit in the loos at work was to call everyone who reported it homophobic

(and then very quietly sack the employee 2 months later and not tell anyone because inconveniently it turned out that people weren't being homophobic but pointing out that wearing your fetish gear to work in a children's charity and then posting about it on social media was actually a very bad thing to do. They never apologised to anyone though)

think that this kind of video is fine and totes down with the kidz

Because here's the thing, the government have already tried to run programs to telling young people "Don't have sex" and/or "Don't watch porn". And guess what? It didn't work. Pregnancy rates roses, porn consumption rised and even sexual assault cases rised. Because telling young people "Don't do this" without stating the facts as to why some people do and why it is and isn't okay is what they need to know to make a healthy choice for themselves.

Please can you direct us to the government campaign that promoted abstinence to children?

Teenage pregnancy is down actually by about half. I would expect a professional in the field to know this, or is it just porn you are concerned with when giving 'sexual health advice' to children?

U.K.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5120422/

Launched by the Labour govt it was designed to reduce teenage pregnancy through teaching safe sex, not abstinence.

www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/resource/teenage-pregnancy

In the US teenage pregnancy is also down, some say that MTV's popular programme Teen Mom has an effect

www.cnn.com/2014/01/13/health/16-pregnant-teens-childbirth/index.html

The Study
www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy/about/index.htm

Perhaps instead of asking questions of your own you could answer the questions that have been asked of you repeatedly.

So to confirm, we await:

1. The study that shows the benefits of children watching porn (I would anticipate that it would tell us what those benefits were)

and

1. Details of the government programme that promoted and encouraged abstinence to children.

It's a nice attempt at a derail and I agree that teenage pregnancy is connected due to the fact that we are talking about sex, specifically children having sex and watching porn, but I'm glad to see we are sticking to the subject.

Even if you don't use 'child porn' in class, the very use of that language from a self-identified expert in the field is deeply disturbing. I think even thinking of it that way in your own head suggests you have a warped view of sex and porn yourself.

A Freudian slip perhaps that belies much, much more.

It is the most commonly used term. That's why I mentioned it here. Never said it is the exact term used in classes.

This is inconsistent. You keep doubling down on your use of the term, then you say it is not necessarily used in classes.

Last night you said this:

ASugarr
Child pornography' is the term most commonly used with the media which is why many of those who work with young people use it as its the most common term to them. I understand that porn isn't "made for children" and that any porn with a minor is sexual abuse and illegal. However it is just the most commonly used term.

Do you or do you not use the term in sessions when you discuss this subject with people under 18?

Who told YOU, specifically, that you should use it in discussions with people under 18? Obviously not names, but for instance, you could tell us this is recommended by x organisation or x safeguarding recommendations?

Or a particular psychologist who recommends it?

Ie. has anyone told you it is appropriate to use in discussions with young people?

@NiceGerbil

FAPZ???!!!

What is childnet?

Anyway not watched the video BUT did Google and look at childline site.

Current advice includes

'Lots of people watch porn, which is okay. But it’s also okay if you don’t want to watch it, or if you’re not sure. It’s important to remember that porn is made for adults.'

'Whether it affects other parts of your life
If porn is stopping you from spending time with friends, family or enjoying other things then it can help to take a break from watching it.'

'Finding out that someone you care about watches porn can be shocking sometimes, especially if it’s a family member or someone you’re in a relationship with.'

'Watching porn when you’re under 18 isn’t against the law and you shouldn’t have to feel worried or ashamed about it. You won’t get in trouble if you watch it yourself.'

'There are a lot of reasons you might want to share porn. You might want to watch porn with a boyfriend or girlfriend, trade porn or share porn with a friend as a joke'

For info... 'Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through.'

Ok so 17 18 yo is different to 6yo. But the stuff above seems to me to be aimed at an older age group.

The adverts usually show younger children calling for help.

I doubt many 18 year olds would think of childline if they had a problem they'd be looking at resources for adults surely.

So in the context that it's for primary, and secondary, all the way through.

How does that advice sound.

Jesus Christ.

@Helleofabore

It is the most commonly used term. That's why I mentioned it here. Never said it is the exact term used in classes.

This is inconsistent. You keep doubling down on your use of the term, then you say it is not necessarily used in classes.

Last night you said this:

ASugarr
Child pornography' is the term most commonly used with the media which is why many of those who work with young people use it as its the most common term to them. I understand that porn isn't "made for children" and that any porn with a minor is sexual abuse and illegal. However it is just the most commonly used term.

Do you or do you not use the term in sessions when you discuss this subject with people under 18?

Who told YOU, specifically, that you should use it in discussions with people under 18? Obviously not names, but for instance, you could tell us this is recommended by x organisation or x safeguarding recommendations?

Or a particular psychologist who recommends it?

Ie. has anyone told you it is appropriate to use in discussions with young people?

The term 'child pornography' is only used to start the conversation as it is the most common social term. Meaning when it comes up we may ask "Oh so what is child porn?". Gather their ideas and explain to them what people mean by the term and that legally it's called child sexual abuse images and videos. We have to start by using the language they most likely use or know to then explain it further. Like nudes. Obviously the technical term is sexually explicit imagery (or if underage child sexual abuse images), however those terms might not make sense to them to begin with, sp we have to start with language like nudes to begin with to help them understand. Otherwise in social situations they may not recognize that the two mean the same thing. Hope that helps.

I just watched the video ‘Sunkisses’ posted and am lost for words.

It absolutely encourages a child to start looking up porn.

The colours and the flashing cartoon images are in a CBBCs style.

And the images of swans? A cat? - what are they for?

There is not one mention about the difference between sex in a relationship with another human, and porn induced, random scratch-the-itch sexual feelings which the porn images will cause artificially. The only vague relationship allusion entails the mention that you can’t have sex with someone black-out drunk or passed out, a child, or an animal.

It mentions you can get addicted but as long as you don’t watch too much you will be fine.....,.

He says porn us made for our entertainment ...... what about mentioning it is so people can make huge amounts of money from you watching it.

He does not mention the abuse of trafficked people to make it.

No doubt the idea behind it is that being too prohibitive is counter productive, but there is no balanced view here. It is sickening, societal grooming.

Even without the content the actual delivery (fast as possible, slangy) is just of the lowest common denominator.

This is effectively an ad pushing a corrupted adult agenda on children.

The term 'child pornography' is only used to start the conversation as it is the most common social term. Meaning when it comes up we may ask "Oh so what is child porn?". Gather their ideas and explain to them what people mean by the term and that legally it's called child sexual abuse images and videos. We have to start by using the language they most likely use or know to then explain it further. Like nudes. Obviously the technical term is sexually explicit imagery (or if underage child sexual abuse images), however those terms might not make sense to them to begin with, sp we have to start with language like nudes to begin with to help them understand. Otherwise in social situations they may not recognize that the two mean the same thing. Hope that helps.

So why do you double down on using it here, on a feminist chat board where there are posters who are survivors of child sex abuse, when you know what the appropriate terminology is to use?