Sexual health promotion messages for young people in Netflix most-watched series content (2015–2020): mixed-methods analysis study

Abstract

IntroductionSexual health is a major issue for young people, and there is a need to promote it. Sexual health promotion messages may be included in Netflix series that are widely watched by young people, with important emotional dimensions in scenarios.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to investigate the explicit sexual health promotion messages integrated in Netflix series popular among young people, and to describe them and how they are delivered.MethodsWe selected two types of Netflix series, aimed at young people: (1) series whose synopsis is mainly about sexual health and (2) all-subject series. We extracted data from 65 episodes of 6 of the most-watched Netflix series. We used a data extraction grid on EpiData. We analysed sexual health themes and sexual health promotion messages. We described the series and listed all the sexual health and other health themes discussed. For each promotion message, we described scene contents and extracted dialogues.ResultsWe found 62 promotion messages in the 6 analysed series. The two series that highlight sexual health in their synopsis account for 81% (n=50/62) of these identified promotion messages. Messages mainly focus on sexual harassment and violence (19%), on sexually transmitted infections protection (18%) and on contraception (15%). Messages are mainly delivered as verbal information, and mostly feature 16–18 years old characters in school. Analysis highlighted four main points concerning scenarios in these series: (1) there are different ways to deliver sexual health promotion messages; (2) there is depiction of negative value judgements and gender norms; (3) some information may be incomplete or misleading and (4) risky behaviours are represented.ConclusionNetflix series incorporate diverse sexual health promotion messages for young people. Further research could assess how these messages are perceived and whether they increase the knowledge, skills and positive health behaviours of young people.

SNAPSJIA study Survey of Adolescents' Needs and Parents' Views on Sexual Health in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

“…In an era of mediating consent and promoting empathy in sex education [31], this would enable adolescents without chronic diseases to better understand the experiences and constraints of illness and treatment. Following the example of the educational series for teenagers "Sex Education" on the Net ix platform, which addresses topics such as sexual orientation or sexual dysfunction, we could envisage including protagonists with chronic diseases who nd positive outcomes in their love and sex lives [32].…”

Survey of adolescents’ needs and parents’ views on sexual health in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

“…This would enable adolescents without chronic diseases to better understand the experiences and constraints of illness and treatment in the contemporary era of mediating consent and promoting empathy in sex education [ 44 ]. Following the example of the educational series for teenagers “Sex Education” on the Netflix platform, which addresses topics such as sexual orientation and sexual dysfunction, we could envisage including protagonists with chronic disease (visible or not) who experience positive outcomes in their romantic relationships and sexual activity [ 45 ]. It would also be relevant to include testimonies from adolescents with chronic diseases in existing programs like those supported by the Population Council (an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization) [ 46 ] and Santé Publique France (a national agency under the Ministry of Health) [ 47 , 48 ].…”

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“…33 Furthermore, a recent study examining sexual health promotion messages integrated in Netflix series popular among young people found that 62 messages were incorporated in their sample of 6 series and these messages focused on sexual harassment and violence (19%), on sexually transmitted infections protection (18%), and on contraception (15%). 34 Finally, in reference to alcohol and cigarette use, a recent study exploring alcohol and tobacco content in a sample of 5 video-on-demand programs (50 episodes) determined that 74% of episodes depicted tobacco content and 94% of episodes depicted alcohol content. 35 Although negative themes, such as violence, sexuality, and alcohol/cigarette use, were not commonly depicted in our sample of TV shows, we encourage the promotion of associated positive themes, such as "demonstrating teamwork," "demonstrating forgiveness," "abstaining from peer pressure," "learning from past mistakes," and "proper exercise/ nutrition (taking care of one's body).…”