Resum
Previous research has pointed to the potential of entertainment media as a source of
informal sex education for young people. New social media may offer additional
potential in this respect. In this paper, we consider the pedagogical possibilities and
limitations of online fan forums, via a case study of the forums of the controversial
British teen drama series Skins. We analyse discussions of the realism of the series’
representation of teenage life, and of specific issues (virginity, attractiveness and gay
sexuality). We compare participants’ discussions of their own experiences – in a
section of the forum entitled ‘advice on life’ – with their discussions of the series and
the characters. We find that the presentation of issues to do with sexuality sometimes
challenges young people to engage in debate, and to move beyond established
discourses. However, the value of the series in this respect depends crucially on its
‘openness’ – that is, its avoidance of fixed moral positions – and on its perceived
plausibility and authenticity. The forum emerges as a new space for non-formal, peerto-
peer education that has limitations as well as new pedagogical possibilities.