We live in a time when it may seem as if adults without children insist that sexualized content is «perfectly fine» for young people, because they like it themselves. Former minister and leader of the Liberal Party, Trine Skei Grande, does not have children herself, but has been associated with several sex scandals. In Subjekt she writes that the film Spermageddon is “important to see” for children. Grande encourages children under 12 to misrepresent their age in order to watch the cinema show with explicit pornographic language and sexualized content. Several other self-appointed moralists (apparently without children) also seem to attack parents who do not want to let their children see Spermageddon.
It's time to speak up: We must protect our children from what adult society has begun to call "humor" and "age-appropriate" pornography.
At a time when we should be working to give children a healthy and true understanding of bodies, boundaries, and relationships, a commercial comedy that reduces sex to vulgarity is being promoted instead. Spermageddon does not teach young people about relationships, responsibility, or respect – on the contrary, it contributes to reinforcing a pornographic view of sex.
Unfortunately, children and young people already get a large part of their understanding of sexuality from the internet, where pornography and unhealthy role models dominate everyday exposure. We adults must take responsibility for this. We must speak the truth about sex from the moment children begin to ask about how they came to be. If children experience that we are telling the truth when they ask, they will continue to ask us and anchor their understanding of what is normal and right in trustworthy guidance.
Grossly sexualized humor has long been a problem among young people. We know that young people are exposed to sexual content, probably also disguised as humor, via TikTok, memes, and digital platforms. So why do adults choose to reinforce this unculture by legitimizing it in cinemas for children?
When sexualized content is wrapped in a comedy, it creates an attitude where sexuality is ridiculed, exaggerated, and reduced to a joke. This contributes to an unhealthy normalization of transgressive behavior. Imagine kids running around school quoting the movie “I’m going to fuck you until you crack!” Are we really going to accept that this is the best cultural experience we want to give to children?
Some will argue that this criticism is hysteria or censorship. Let's be clear: No one is suggesting banning the film or denying adults access to it. The point is that we as a society have a responsibility for what we expose children to. Spermageddon contains content that should have been reserved for adults, but the Norwegian Media Authority failed to assign a responsible age limit.
This is not about freedom of speech, but about decency. Why should we expose young people to hard-core pornographic language and sexualized content and then expect them to develop a healthy view of sex?
According to surveys, 23% of 18-year-old women say they have experienced sexual assault, with about half committed by their boyfriend. Won't Spermageddon contribute to maintaining this harmful culture?
The easiest thing to do is to shrug your shoulders and say, «It's just a comedy, relax!» But this is the voice of a generation of adults who have given up their responsibility.
It's time to wake up. Protecting children from harmful content is not an overreaction, it's our responsibility. Some have left the watchtower, but we can still return. Let's put aside our selfishness and shame and start caring about children again.
When the authorities fail, we parents must take up the baton. Should we stand on the sidelines while a sexualized culture of immorality is normalized for our children – or should we speak out clearly? The choice is ours. And the responsibility rests with us.
