In advice reminiscent
of the controversy generated in Ireland about the HSE-sponsored “SpunOut”
website which tells teenagers that threesomes “can be fun,” TheSite.org tells
teenagers that “porn can be great” and aims to tackle a series of “myths” about
the subject.

“Sex is great. And
porn can be great. It’s the idea that porn sex is like real sex which is the
problem,” says the website. “But if you can separate the fantasy from the
reality you’re much more likely to enjoy both.” 

The guide was
published by the Sex Education Forum (SEF), a coalition of more than 90
organisations, including the NSPCC and Barnardo’s, established to campaign for
better lessons in the subject. 

The report suggests
that children as young as 11 should be warned about dangers of “sexting” and
five-year-olds should know how airbrushing in the media creates unrealistic body
image expectations, the Daily Telegraph reports. 

Older pupils aged 14
upwards should be made aware “real” and “unreal” behaviour in pornography, the
guide adds. 

The guide also points
teachers towards a series of websites that they can use in class, including
TheSite.org, an advice forum for young people. 

However, critics said
many parents would be “horrified” if their children were taught about
pornography in school. Campaigners said it was “playing with fire” and warned
that it could encourage a casual attitude towards
sex. 

Norman Wells, from
the Family Education Trust, said that introducing pupils to pornography risked
undermining children’s “natural sense of reserve”.

“The intention
appears to be to steer children and young people away from a belief in moral
absolutes and to encourage them to think that there are no rights and wrongs
when it comes to sexual expression,” he said. 

“Many parents will be
horrified at the prospect of their children being taught about pornography
within such a framework. To take a no-holds barred approach to sex education has
the potential to break down pupils’ natural sense of reserve and to encourage
casual attitudes towards sex.”

He added: “If we want
children to view sexual intimacy as something valuable, special and worthy of
respect, it needs to be addressed with modesty and restraint. To give lessons on
pornography is to play with fire.”