TMAP research - the role of teenage magazines in the sexual health of young people

In 1996 Peter Luff, Tory MP for Worcester, proposed a Bill which would require publishers to place age suitability warnings on the cover of young women's magazines, in an effort to allay concerns about their use of sexually explicit material.

This report examines the debate on teenage magazines and analyses the current sources of information available to young people on sexual related issues. As a review of current research, this document suggests that there is certainly an important role for teenage magazines in the sexual health education of young people, and that they provide information which can empower young people to make informed choices on sexual issues.

A key factor in this debate is the emergence of more open discussion about sex, following the increasing concern about AIDS. A new explicit language has become necessary and therefore more acceptable to society. In this context, is it realistic to accuse teenage magazines of creating this new sexually aware teenage girl or are teenage magazines merely reflecting the way this age group is changing within society? More specifically is criticism of these magazines a case of shooting the messenger?

This research clearly indicates that young people prefer to get their information on sex from printed sources rather than from adults and that there is a need to ensure that teenage magazines continue to contain information which enable young people to adopt safer sex behaviour and exercise healthy choices in their personal lives.

Download a full copy of the report (in PDF format)

Contact: Kerry Neilson , TMAP secretariat, kerry.neilson@ppa.co.uk, 0207 400 7520

Teenage Magazine Arbitration Panel (TMAP)
28 Kingsway
London WC2B 6JR

tel: 0207 400 7520 - fax: 020 7404 4167 - email: kerry.neilson@ppa.co.uk - web: www.tmap.org.uk -

Terms and conditions

site contact: Kerry Neilson - this site is audited by ABC Electronic -