Young people and sexually explicit content online: Exploring Australian parents’ concerns

Ongoing discussion between parents and their children, including listening to young people, is essential to enable young people to safely navigate the online sexual ecosystem. Research suggests, however, that parents and their children conceptualise and discuss online risks in different ways. This article documents findings from interviews and focus groups with 40 Australian parents exploring their perspectives and concerns about online pornography, and provides insights into the extent to which the adults report listening to and engaging with young people. It reveals that while parents are concerned about online pornography, most do not know what their children are doing online and do not appear to be discussing the issue with their children in ways which explore their children’s experiences, perspectives and concerns. It concludes by suggesting that education about online pornography be extended to parents so that they are better able to support young people in navigating the online sexual ecosystem.