The impact of the Sex Education Netflix series on teen discussions

Although the world is moving towards modernization, many people still feel hesitant to discuss sensitive issues. This is because of their cultural taboos, or fear of judgment. In this scenario, the Sex Education Netflix series has gained immense popularity for its openness about mature topics teens struggle with, presented in a healthy, frank way.

So if you want to learn more about this show, then keep reading, as the whole guide is about the Sex Education show. We’ll discuss in detail its plot themes and the benefits that teens may enjoy from watching this show. Also, we’ll provide insights into official age ratings and reviews from others.

Why is the Sex Education Netflix series beneficial for teens?

Sex Education is a British Netflix drama series that humorously depicts the real-life social issues faced by teens & adults. Although its plot is funny, it’s really educational and thought-provoking for today’s teens. Let’s dive deeper and understand how it could be advantageous to watch for teens!

Promotes open conversations

Watching the sex education series encourages teens to have open and honest discussions about these topics. The reason is that this series breaks the silence around sensitive issues like consent, identity, and relationships. Thus, giving them the idea that it’s normal to have questions about sexual health, and express their feelings without any fear.

Encourages body positivity and acceptance

Moreover, today’s societal standards, or even social media, have actually set the narrow ideas of beauty, gender, and sexuality. Thus, teens start comparing and develop a wrong image in their minds. However, the Sex Education series has a diverse cast that normalizes different identities, body types, and orientations.

As a result, teens would understand that everyone, no matter how they look or their gender, deserves respect & self-acceptance.

Builds understanding of emotional intimacy

Furthermore, teens have grown up watching TV shows or movies that mostly focus on physical attraction or romance. Teens, because of their immaturity, may consider it the standard of a relationship that is wrong, right?

So, watching this sex education series, they would learn that a true relationship isn’t based on physical attraction. But it’s actually relied on emotional connection, honesty, and mutual respect.

Complements parental and school education

Since school or even from their parents, kids just learn about reproduction and safety measures. But they mostly overlook the real-life situations, emotional challenges, and social pressures. Thus, watching this series helps teens apply lessons about relationships and consent in real-life situations.

What is the Sex Education Netflix series about?

Sex Education is a teen comedy series created by Laurie Nunn. It has four seasons totaling 32 episodes, and its first season premiered on Netflix on January 11, 2019. This show actually follows Otis Milbur, a shy, socially awkward teen. You know he always remains confused about sex, yet his mother was a sex therapist.

Here, you’ll also meet the Otis friends (Maeve, Eric, and Aimee) at Mordale High School. One day, Otis accidentally helped one of his school friends who was struggling with confidence or personal issues. So, by seeing how much his advice helps him, Otis teams up with one of his classmates, named Maeve. And they together start a secret sex advice business at school. Both of them then help other students deal with their sexual questions and problems.

So, this series openly discusses serious topics like sexuality, consent, mental health, and gender identity, but in a humorous way. Thus, when teens encountered real-life situations, they could better relate to them and feel more comfortable talking about them.

Understanding the show’s age rating and content

Now, let’s dive deeper to understand the types of content in Sex Education and how its age rating differs across regions based on that content!

What is the Netflix series Sex Education rated?

It’s worth noting that different regions have their own guidelines regarding the acceptance of topics like sex, language, and nudity across certain age groups. For instance, in the U.S, the Sex Education show has been rated as TV-MA. It means this show is intended for a mature audience, or that anyone under 18 isn’t allowed to watch it.

On the other hand, in other European countries, the same show has been rated as 16+/17+. This is because their media guidelines are more open to discussing sexuality or mature themes.

However, the ratings make one thing clear: this show isn’t for kids. This is because the rating is given to this show for strong language, sexual references, and some nudity. Let’s explore in detail for a better understanding.

Content warnings

• Strong language: Yes – As mentioned earlier, the storyline of this show is based on realistic conversations of teens about mature topics. So, yes, here you’ll hear explicit language that helps portray authentic, relatable dialogue.
• Sexual references: Yes – You’ll also see that almost all characters of this show openly discuss sex, intimacy, and relationships. It actually helps viewers, including even teens, understand these topics in a safe and educational context.
• Nudity: Yes, there are some partial nude scenes, but the context isn’t sexual; they are natural or just story-driven.
• Violence: No, in the sex education show, you’ll not witness any violent behavior. Since it’s not the focus of this show, it just keeps emphasizing the emotional or social issues.
• Drug or alcohol use: Yes, there are some scenes in the Sex Education show where some teens are shown drinking alcohol. But it’s worth noting that the series does not glamorize substance use, but depicts it as interlinking with real life.
• Emotional themes: Of course, that’s actually the central idea of this show, to raise awareness among people about social issues. So yes, here you’ll explore mental health, self-identity, family relationships, peer pressure, and self-acceptance.
• Educational discussions: Absolutely yes, you’ll see that teens have informative conversations about sexuality, relationships, consent, and boundaries. Also, here they complement each other on topics like what teens may learn in school or from parents.
• Explicit sexual acts: No – Let me clarify on one thing that although this show is based on mature themes, it doesn’t show any real sex. It uses fictional portrayals to explore aspects of consent and relationships in growing up, in a safe and educational way.

What age is the Sex Education Netflix series appropriate for?

After learning about the content warnings in Sex Education, I would say this show is best for viewers 16 years or older. However, the parents’ supervision or guidance is definitely important.

So, being a parent, you might be wondering whether this show is appropriate for your kids. In addition to knowing the official age rating, consider your child’s maturity, emotional readiness, and your family values. This is because every kid grows at a different pace and may handle the topic differently, right?

Educational and emotional lessons teens can learn

Sex Education isn’t just a drama series teens can enjoy; it also teaches valuable lessons about life and emotions. Let’s dive deeper to understand the key lessons teens can learn from this show.

Relationships and intimacy

First of all, this show clarifies teens’ perceptions of relationships based on real-life experiences. For instance, by watching this, you’ll learn that a true relationship isn’t just about looks and beauty. But it is actually based on trust, communication, and mutual consent.

Also, by watching this show, teens can learn to express their feelings and set true boundaries.

Identity and self-discovery

Furthermore, by exploring online content or watching other media, teens have set their own standards for judging others’ personalities, as well as their own. So the Sex Education show gives an important lesson that everyone is born with their own abilities, gender, or even beauty. If you want peace in your life, then, despite judging, just embrace yourself and respect differences.

Mental health and well-being

According to the World Health Organization report (WHO), almost 1 in 7 10-19-year-olds has been reported to be suffering from anxiety, depression, etc. For your information, self-exploitation and pressure to fit in are among the factors contributing to such issues.

The best thing is that the main focus of Sex Education is actually these topics, like anxiety, depression, body image, and self-esteem. Thus, it helps teens to understand that struggling is normal in life, but you don’t have to hesitate to seek help from others.

Social issues and inclusivity

Last but not least, this show, owing to its diverse cast and storylines, clearly addresses the family challenges, discrimination, peer pressure, and even bullying. Thus, teens learn that everyone deserves respect and they must support people regardless of their backgrounds.

Reviewing the impact and reception of sex education

Below is a table showing ratings and reviews for all 4 seasons of Sex Education on American review aggregation sites like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic.

Moreover, the show reached over 40 million viewers in its first month on Netflix. Also, this series has received acclaim for its humor, openness, and meaningful exploration of teenage sexuality. For instnace;

• The Daily Mirror’s Lewis Knight gave Sex Education a perfect five-star rating and admired its talented cast. Also, he appreciates the honest way in which young people & their parents are shown dealing with sexuality. He actually called it a funny, honest, and refreshingly diverse show.
• The New York Times’ James Poniewozik said the series feels modern and indeed thoughtful. He also admired how it talks about sex openly and naturally, not as something shameful, but as a normal part of life.

Furthermore, according to the Common Sense Media report, parents also found this show entertaining and educational. Along with this, they said that as it contains explicit content, it is not suitable for younger viewers.

In short, the show has received a very strong critical reception, indicating that it handles sensitive topics thoughtfully. Also, the feedback from parents & educators mentioned above indicates that this show is a valuable conversation starter. However, keep in mind that parents must guide and supervise their teens when watching this show for a better understanding.

How can parents talk to their teens about the show?

It’s a fact that many parents feel hesitant to discuss mature topics such as relationships, consent, and related issues. However, this sex education show is a wonderful opportunity for you to guide your teens on sensitive topics. Here are some tips that will help you use this show to understand your teen’s thoughts and values!

Watch together (if appropriate)

First of all, it’s best to watch this show along with your teens. In this way, you would better understand the context. Thus, it would be easier for you to discuss sensitive topics.

Stay calm and open-minded

Furthermore, you should be friendly to your kids. Thus giving them a space to talk to you and share their opinions openly. Also, you should listen more to your kids rather than adopt a judgmental attitude.

For instance, you can ask questions like “What do you think the show is trying to say about healthy relationships?” Also, by watching the entire show, you would ask, “Which character do you think handled their situation the best?”

Final thoughts

In a nutshell, Sex Education is a thought-provoking Netflix series that helps teens understand relationships, self-identity, and other social issues they might be hesitant to discuss with anyone. Thus, by watching this show, they can start open conversations with parents or peers about their real-life struggles.