Students in first year of secondary school will learn about the influence of pornography under new plans being introduced by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
Associate Professor of Adolescent Psychology and Education at DCU Institute of Education Dr Kay Maunsell said the lives of children in their early teens are very much oriented towards relationships and they have access to a lot of information online.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she said that "the level of access is quite significant. In fact, studies would show that by senior cycle, 86% of the vast majority of young males have said that they have watched pornography and 24% of young women, and over half of boys, 53%, say they first saw pornography between the ages of 10 and 13 and almost one-quarter of girls.
"The access to the online world, whether it's part of the natural curiosity, if they're growing up or whether it's accidental, [there are] significant numbers.
"In fact the majority of young people at that age of their life are indicating that they have seen pornography or actually actively watch it by the time they come to senior cycle".
Dr Maunsell said that studies would show that the influence of pornography is "quite complex".
"For some young people, it can shape their expectations in respect of sex and what sex is and what sex isn't."
She said that it can also influence their stereotypical beliefs of what is expected of young males and young females.
Dr Maunsell said many young people also report experiencing distress having seen pornography online, particularly at younger ages, "and ultimately it also has shown effects in terms of their body image and their self-esteem".
She said that the social, personal, health, education, relationships and sexuality education programme for Junior Cycle is working together with teachers and schools, along with parents and young people, to help them understand themselves and others - making healthy choices, emotional wellbeing and relationships and sexuality education are part of this.
She said it is not just about learning about online content or the influence of pornography, "it's about learning about this in relation to healthy relationships with themselves and with others."
The curriculum will be worked on to meet the needs of the young people in classrooms and there are very strong guidelines in terms of the content as the new curriculum rolls out, she added.
