February 2026: Youth-Led Prevention to End Sexual Violence

Culture Reframed is the premier science-based, global organization working to stop the emotional, behavioral, and sexual harms of pornography to children and youth. Join our online community to receive updates on our work, announcements of upcoming events, and the latest news related to pornography and youth.

Our team is deeply energized by growing collaborations with young women activists and youth-led organizations who are working courageously to shape safe, healthy futures for young people, free from the influence of the porn industry.

In this newsletter, read a powerful interview with Shael Norris, Executive Director of SafeBAE, a survivor-founded, youth-led organization working to end sexual violence before it starts. Plus, check out our upcoming webinar — our first of the year — featuring two pioneering young women who are bringing the topic of pornography and violence against girls and women to the forefront.

All of these women are helping to advance this critical movement and reshape our culture. We’re excited for you to get to know them!

— Dr. Mandy Sanchez
Director of Programming, Culture Reframed

SafeBAE is the only survivor-founded, youth-led organization working to prevent sexual violence among teens in the U.S. The organization equips young people with the tools to prevent harm, support their peers, and ultimately drive generational culture change. The goal is to help young people understand what a healthy relationship looks like and to empower them before harm happens.

In this conversation, Co-Founder and Executive Director Shael Norris reflects on her journey to SafeBAE, discusses the power of youth-led prevention, and shares where she sees the greatest potential for meaningful societal change to address sexual violence among young people today.

We are delighted to host a live webinar on March 19, from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. EST, that will take a deep dive into the realities of growing up and living as a woman in today’s hypersexualized world. In conversation with two pioneering activists, we’ll explore how pornified culture affects young women and their relationships with others, and the vital role they can play in the ecosystem working to achieve large-scale cultural shifts.

Ashley Staggers, Miss Manhattan 2026, brings a wealth of experience in youth leadership, sex-based violence prevention, and survivor advocacy through her work with Rights4Girls, the World Without Exploitation Youth Coalition, and Children’s Aid’s Fostering Youth Success Alliance. She will be joined by Katie Ramsay, a content creator with more than 230,000 YouTube subscribers, known for her inspiring podcasts and discussions of complex cultural issues, including the impact of pornified culture.

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“How can advocates help the public understand that child safety legislation is not a question of free speech or open-mindedness?”

From the need for stronger regulation to the disproportionate impact of pornography on LGBTQ+ youth and the normalization of exploitation, parents raising young people in today’s pornified culture are asking difficult and important questions.

In the second part of our “Ask Us Anything” series, Dr. Gail Dines and Dr. Mandy Sanchez share answers to more pressing parent questions, along with actionable tips, examples, and resources to educate and support in addressing the porn crisis.

Close Up Radio Spotlights Top Sociologist, Researcher, and Author Dr. Gail Dines

Tune into a new interview with Culture Reframed Founder & CEO Dr. Gail Dines, discussing everything from her journey to finding this work, the effects of pornography on the brain, and how the name “Culture Reframed” was chosen to empower action against porn culture.

I’m Suing Social-Media Platforms Like Snapchat — So Someone Else’s Child Doesn’t Die Like Mine Did (NY Post)

Julianna Arnold shares the story of losing her 17-year-old daughter after a drug dealer reached her through Instagram — and why she is now suing social media companies for designing platforms built to keep young people engaged at all costs. Read more.

Senate Passes Bill Allowing Victims of Deepfake Porn to Sue (The Hill)

The Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits (DEFIANCE) Act was unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate in January. The bill would allow victims of nonconsensual deepfake pornography to sue individuals who produce and distribute such content. Read more.

Spain to Investigate Social Media Giants, Escalating Trans-Atlantic Tech Dispute (The New York Times)

The Spanish government wants prosecutors to investigate X, Meta, and TikTok for allegedly spreading child sexual abuse material generated by artificial intelligence. Read more.

The Porn Industry Is Normalising the Sex Trade for the Next Generation of Teen Girls (The Journal)

Teacher and researcher Eoghan Cleary examines the relationship between brand deals, content creators, and OnlyFans — and how girls are being targeted by the porn industry at younger and younger ages. Read more.

The Rise of Deepfake Pornography in Schools: ‘One Girl Was so Horrified She Vomited’ (The Guardian)

The use of ‘nudify’ apps is ubiquitous in schools, with hundreds of teachers having seen images created by pupils, often of their peers. Read more.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, bringing much-needed attention to this serious issue and a reminder of the critical role you play in young people’s lives. Healthy relationships start with the guidance of trusted adults.

Our free Parents Courses empower parents of tweens and teens to confidently guide their young people toward healthy, egalitarian views on sex and relationships. These self-paced, online courses equip parents with evidence-informed strategies, conversation scripts, and expert insight to support young people in navigating the hypersexualized culture.

Sign up here to receive updates on our work, announcements of upcoming events, and the latest news related to pornography and youth.