How Sex Is Referenced in Netflix Original, Adolescent-Directed Series: A Content Analysis of Subtitles

Given the potential for sexual discussions in the media to relate to adolescents' attitudes and behaviors regarding sex, we conducted a content analysis to examine how multiple categories of sex content were referenced in all subtitles of all episodes (as of the end of 2019) of eight Netflix-original and adolescent-directed series. Overall, across all eight series, references to sexual interest were most common, followed by references to sexual behavior. References to the risk and negative consequences of sex and references to sexual precaution seldomly occurred. "Rape" was the most frequently occurring term related to sex, followed by the term "kiss." As for each individual series, analyses revealed distinct patterns of the specific categories of sex referenced. In general, these findings offer an overview on the different types of sex content referenced in Netflix-originated adolescent series and suggest that adolescents may potentially be affected differently upon exposure to different patterns of sex references in these series. Public Policy Relevance StatementThis study provides insight into how different types of sex content were referenced in all subtitles of all episodes (as of the end of 2019) of eight adolescent-directed, Netflix original series. Looking at all eight series as a whole, references to sexual interest appeared most frequently, whereas references to sexual precaution were least common. For individual series specifically, 13 Reasons Why and Unbelievable contained more references to sex crime, especially rape, and Sex Education contained more references to expert sex advice and sexual precaution, relative to the other series. The findings suggest that the patterns of sexual messages in these Netflix series are somewhat diverse and different. Therefore, media literacy interventions on the effects of exposure to these series on adolescent sex attitudes and behaviors may need to be highly targeted and customized.