Common Sense Media: How to Handle Pornography at School and at Home
They’ll see adult content. Here’s what we can do.
Internet connections to and from schools are abuzz with research, educational games, learning management systems, and digital citizenship lessons. But occasionally, students are accessing content they shouldn’t. Sometimes that means games, sometimes social media—and sometimes pornography.
Though kids are mostly finding pornography—by mistake or on purpose—at home, our research shows that it’s sometimes viewed on school grounds, since many teens have access to their smartphones and/or school-issued devices throughout the school day. According to Common Sense’s 2023 research report, 73% of teen respondents have consumed online pornography. 41% of those teens have viewed adult content during the school day, and nearly half of those used school-issued devices. It’s often happening with students younger than you might expect: Our 2026 report indicates 74% of teens have seen pornography, most by the age of 12.
And then there’s AI-generated pornography and sexual content: Our 2026 research shows that almost half of teens have seen sexual content they believe was AI-generated, and most of them didn’t seek it out. Of teens who have seen AI-generated sexual content, 22% report that the content represented them or someone they know personally. Almost 20% of teens have created sexual content using AI, or know someone who has. And 25% have sent or shared AI-generated sexual content, or know someone who has.
While conversations about pornography aren’t necessarily for teachers to take on, it’s important to be aware, prepared to discuss the elements that affect the classroom and student well-being, and armed with resources to help families.
Not the Pornography of the Past
First, it’s important to know that what some adults may think of as pornography has evolved in the age of the internet. Of course, we won’t get into specifics, but we’re not just talking about videos of scripted sex. Video games, manga, memes, and more can all have pornographic elements. AI-generated sexual content is showing up in the places where kids are online, and they are seeing, creating, and sharing it. And it’s all easy to find and access, especially if a kid lies about their age. YouTube, Reddit, Discord, and other mainstream social media sites and apps host pornographic content (or otherwise adult and inappropriate for school) that’s only meant for adults and is blocked by gates of one kind or another, but many can be accessed by simply entering a fake birthday or tapping on a “Yes, I’m over 18” button….
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They’ll see adult content. Here’s what we can do.
Internet connections to and from schools are abuzz with research, educational games, learning management systems, and digital citizenship lessons. But occasionally, students are accessing content they shouldn’t. Sometimes that means games, sometimes social media—and sometimes pornography.
Though kids are mostly finding pornography—by mistake or on purpose—at home, our research shows that it’s sometimes viewed on school grounds, since many teens have access to their smartphones and/or school-issued devices throughout the school day. According to Common Sense’s 2023 research report, 73% of teen respondents have consumed online pornography. 41% of those teens have viewed adult content during the school day, and nearly half of those used school-issued devices. It’s often happening with students younger than you might expect: Our 2026 report indicates 74% of teens have seen pornography, most by the age of 12.
And then there’s AI-generated pornography and sexual content: Our 2026 research shows that almost half of teens have seen sexual content they believe was AI-generated, and most of them didn’t seek it out. Of teens who have seen AI-generated sexual content, 22% report that the content represented them or someone they know personally. Almost 20% of teens have created sexual content using AI, or know someone who has. And 25% have sent or shared AI-generated sexual content, or know someone who has.
While conversations about pornography aren’t necessarily for teachers to take on, it’s important to be aware, prepared to discuss the elements that affect the classroom and student well-being, and armed with resources to help families.
Not the Pornography of the Past
First, it’s important to know that what some adults may think of as pornography has evolved in the age of the internet. Of course, we won’t get into specifics, but we’re not just talking about videos of scripted sex. Video games, manga, memes, and more can all have pornographic elements. AI-generated sexual content is showing up in the places where kids are online, and they are seeing, creating, and sharing it. And it’s all easy to find and access, especially if a kid lies about their age. YouTube, Reddit, Discord, and other mainstream social media sites and apps host pornographic content (or otherwise adult and inappropriate for school) that’s only meant for adults and is blocked by gates of one kind or another, but many can be accessed by simply entering a fake birthday or tapping on a “Yes, I’m over 18” button….
Continue article here.