Parental Control of Sexually Explicit Content in Schools

Introduction

The problem: For the past few years, I have been contacted by parents concerned with the unfettered access to inappropriate content in their children’s school curriculum and library books. Parents have to find out by “accident” that materials that they, as parents, would not allow their children to see are accessible in schools libraries or are part of a “social awareness” curriculum.

These parents are not requesting any type of “book banning” but instead are asking for curriculum transparency and the ability to “opt in” on what their children have access to.

The evidence: In examples right here in Pennsylvania, parents have identified books and assignments that contain graphic sexually explicit content that adults would be prohibited from viewing while at work.

The solution: I have introduced legislation that would empower parents to shield their children from this graphic content by allowing them to control what only their own children are able to view in school.

This proposal is NOT a book ban.

Nearly all content has ratings: Movies, video games, music, and TV shows all have ratings to warn viewers of potentially sensitive content.

Streaming platforms have parental control options: Many of the platforms to access these shows, games, and music also have parental control options so young children don’t have unrestricted access to graphic content.
Library books in schools are unrestricted: Yet, these books are freely available without parental knowledge or consent in public school libraries and classrooms for children of all ages to access with ease.

Conclusion: We must work together to find a bipartisan solution that honors parents, considers impacts to teachers and schools, and protects children from all backgrounds.

Summary

Senate Bill 230 would require schools to:

✔ Identify sexually explicit content in school curriculum, materials, and books.

✔ Create an opt-in policy that would:

Notify parents of the sexually explicit content by including a list of the book titles on the form.
Give parents the opportunity to review the materials.
Require parents to give direct consent for their children to be provided or have access to sexually explicit content.

✔ Provide the child with a non-explicit alternatives if their parents do not opt-in.

Senate Bill 230 would NOT:

X Ban any books from any school curriculum or library.

Why this bill is needed?

As a legislator, it my obligation to stand for our children. As parents, teachers, and responsible citizens, it is our utmost responsibility to protect our children’s well-being. Research indicates that exposure to sexually explicit content can have detrimental effects on children and adolescents, impacting their psychological, behavioral, and social development (PubMed). Therefore, we must protect our children and Stand against Including Sexually Explicit Content in Library Books. Please see below summary of the some of the dire negative effect on children who are exposed to sexually explicit contents.

Psychological and Emotional Impact

Lower Self-Esteem and Depression: A 2023 UK report found that children who first viewed pornography at age 11 or younger exhibited significantly lower self-esteem compared to those who started viewing at age 12 or older. Additionally, a study following 1,401 Chinese youth over three years identified a link between early, intentional exposure to pornography and depressive symptoms during adolescence. (defendyoungminds.com)
Confusion and Anxiety: Premature exposure to sexually explicit material can lead to confusion, anxiety, and inappropriate behavioral modeling. A study published in the Journal of Adolescence found that early exposure to sexual content can distort children’s perceptions of relationships and healthy sexual behavior, making them more vulnerable to exploitation or misconceptions about intimacy. (Eugene Roginsky LCSW)

Behavioral and Developmental Consequences

Increased Risky Behaviors: A systematic review of 19 studies confirmed associations between early exposure to pornography and behaviors such as earlier sexual debut, multiple sexual partners, and engagement in risky sexual behaviors. (PubMed)
Problematic Sexual Behaviors (PSB): A meta-analysis revealed that exposure to non-violent sexual content increased the likelihood of engaging in PSB by 82%, while exposure to violent or live sexual content raised this risk by 152%. The association was stronger in studies with a higher proportion of females. (PubMed)
Social and Academic Impairment: Adolescents exposed to pornography are more likely to exhibit antisocial behaviors, such as rule-breaking and aggression. They also show less commitment to family and school, and have fewer pro-social attitudes. (Institute for Family Studies)

Long-Term Effects

Reduced Life Satisfaction: A study using data from 1,055 participants found that individuals who were exposed to pornography before age 16 reported lower life satisfaction in adulthood. They also had more sexual partners and a higher frequency of pornography use, and were more likely to accept abusive or coercive pornography. (PsyPost – Psychology News)

As a legislator who is a strong advocate of strengthening families, I believe there is a strong need to address this issue. It is about the role of libraries—especially school and public libraries—we must consider not only the importance of intellectual freedom, but also the responsibility we have to protect the well-being of young readers. The several independent studies and research that conclude strong, reasoned arguments for excluding sexually explicit content from library collections, particularly where children and teenagers have unrestricted access. Some of those reasons are listed as below.

1. Age Inappropriateness

Sexually explicit material is often not suitable for children or adolescents. These materials can include graphic depictions of sex, abuse, or other adult situations that young readers may not be emotionally or mentally prepared to process. Libraries should offer content that supports healthy development, not content that could confuse or disturb.

2. Protection of Parental Rights

Parents have the right—and responsibility—to guide their children’s exposure to sensitive topics. When sexually explicit materials are included in public or school library collections, they may be accessed without parental knowledge or consent. This bypasses a parent’s role in determining what is appropriate for their child.

3. Community Standards and Public Accountability

Libraries are publicly funded institutions and should reflect the values of the communities they serve. What one person views as empowering or informative, others may view as vulgar or harmful. Including explicit material can divide communities and undermine public trust in these institutions.

4. Psychological and Emotional Risks

Explicit sexual content can introduce mature themes—such as sexual violence, coercion, or graphic acts—that may be triggering or harmful, especially to children who have experienced trauma. Libraries should strive to be safe spaces, not sources of emotional risk.

5. Legal and Ethical Concerns

In many places, laws exist that prohibit the distribution of sexually explicit material to minors. Libraries, particularly schools, risk legal consequences and public backlash by stocking content that could be interpreted as violating those laws.

6. Focus on Education and Literacy

The primary mission of school and youth libraries is to promote reading, critical thinking, and academic achievement. Including graphic or sexually explicit content shifts the focus away from educational enrichment and may introduce unnecessary controversy or distraction.

7. Access Through Other Means

Young people who are mature enough to explore these topics for scientific studies, can do so through other appropriate channels—with the guidance of parents, counselors, or healthcare providers. It is not necessary for public libraries to be the gateway to this kind of content.

Conclusion

This is not about censorship—it is about responsibility. We must balance the right to read with the duty to protect. Excluding sexually explicit content from publicly accessible library shelves—especially for minors—is a reasonable, respectful way to preserve community values, support families, and uphold the educational mission of libraries.

It is my honor to stand for our children’s wellbeing and advocate for parents’ rights to raise their children as they see fit. Addressing the exposure of children to sexually explicit content requires a collaborative effort among parents, educators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to eliminate, reduce, and mitigate its harmful effects and promote healthy development. I strongly urge all of you to join me in this noble fight to save our children. God bless you all!

Resources

Rasmussen Reports – Oct. 3, 2022 – Survey by Rasmussen Reports and the Capitol Resource Institute

The Heritage Foundation – July 21, 2023 – How To Curate Age-Inappropriate Library Books Consistently With the First Amendment

Claim VS Fact

Claim: This bill is a book ban.

Fact: This bill does NOT ban any books from any school library or curriculum. It only empowers parents to control the content their own children are exposed to, which does not impact what books / materials are available to the student body.

Claim: This bill is an attack on the LGBTQ community.

Fact: Senate Bill 230 does NOT target or discriminate against any group or person; the bill strictly identifies sexually explicit content, wherever it may be found and regardless of who it may be written by or about and allows parents to decide if it’s appropriate for their own child.

Claim: Senate Bill 230 is unnecessary because parents can already opt their child out of books they don’t like.

Fact: Under current policy in most schools, parents can only opt their children out of specific book titles they personally know are inappropriate. Most cannot simply opt their children out of all “sexually explicit content” because, as has been admitted in testimony, librarians and administrators don’t know what books contain sexually explicit content. Since parents cannot simply opt their children out of sexually explicit content, they must review every single book in the library and mark which books they find inappropriate.

I believe that is an unrealistic burden to put on parents, especially when most are surprised books with this content are in schools (outside of health and sex ed classes) in the first place.

Claim: Pennsylvania schools don’t have these materials available to children – this is a solution in search of a problem.

Fact: Here are examples of explicit materials that have been found in many Pennsylvania elementary, middle, and high schools. While this is subject to change, these books have been found in Abington Middle School, Benton Middle/Senior High School, Central Bucks School District, Charles Boehm Middle School, East Stroudsburg High School North, Hopewell Senior High School, Kutztown High School, Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School, Methacton High School, North Penn School District, Perkiomen Valley High School, Pocono Mountain East High School, Warwick School District, West Chester School District, Wissahickon School District, and many more.

Claim: The content in these books is not that bad.

Fact: This is content that is so graphic that newspapers have refused to print, TV stations have refused to air, school boards have banned during meetings, and law enforcement has forcibly removed from posters in public settings.

Claim: The majority of Americans want kids to have unrestricted access to this material at school.

Fact: 77% of voters are concerned that school-age children are being exposed to sexual material that is not age appropriate; 55% are very concerned.

Claim: This bill will remove critical anti-bullying lessons that help educate all children about how to treat people who are different than they are, including members of the LGBTQ community.

Fact: This bill does NOT remove or ban any books from any school library or curriculum. It only allows parents to control the content their own children are exposed to, which does not impact what books, materials, or classroom lessons that are available to the student body.

Teaching children to be kind, understanding, and appreciate differences in others is not the same as having explicit conversations about sexual orientation or sex. These lessons can be taught without exposing children to the problematic sexually explicit content. This bill would not impact the foundation and core function of anti-bullying curriculum in Pennsylvania schools.

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