Warning! This article contains spoilers about “Heartstopper,” so proceed with caution if you haven’t watched it yet.

“Do you want to continue?” “Hold on, let me assist.” “Is this alright?” “Are you certain?”

These phrases are part of a pivotal moment featuring Nick (Kit Conner) and Charlie (Joe Locke), the young couple in the popular Netflix series “Heartstopper.” The third season, released on Oct. 3, delves into topics such as sexual intimacy, consent, and body image issues.

However, some audience members criticized the show’s focus on consent during sexual scenes. One tweet expressed that “consent is sexy,” leading to a robust debate, while others found the dialogue somewhat awkward and heavy-handed. A viewer responded, “What’s the issue with consent and respect?”

Michael Stokes, a certified sex therapist and mental health counselor, emphasizes the importance of demonstrating consent in shows to foster open discussions about it before and during sexual activities. “This helps make conversations about consent feel more typical and less uncomfortable,” he explains.

Educating Young Audiences on Consent Is Beneficial

Consent entails clear and affirmative agreement among individuals wishing to engage in sexual activities. “Asking things like ‘May I touch you there?’ or ‘Is it okay to kiss you?’ exemplifies consent,” Stokes elaborates.

Teenagers are at a developmental stage largely influenced by social interactions and modeling, notes Casey Tanner, a certified sex therapist, online educator, and author of “Feel It All: A Therapist’s Guide to Reimagining Your Relationship with Sex.”

“They are particularly likely to mimic behaviors they observe in their peers or through media,” she adds. “Portraying sex without addressing consent is akin to teaching driving without discussing seatbelts.”

Moreover, there is still a significant lack of representation of LGBTQ+ couples in media as well as in queer sexual education.

Stokes emphasizes that while enhancing sex education for LGBTQ individuals is paramount, film and television can play a role in normalizing these discussions.

Many Viewers Valued Heartstopper’s Perspective on Sex

Amidst shows like “Euphoria” and “Riverdale”—which often seem targeted towards teens but are made with a different audience in mind—Heartstopper’s PG-13 portrayal of sex stands out as enlightening and important for younger viewers.

Tanner mentions that this season’s focus on sexuality primarily addressed social and emotional factors in making sexual decisions. Though it didn’t delve into the specifics of queer sex, she considers this approach deliberate.

“I appreciated their choice to maintain a focused narrative rather than superficially attempting to cover every aspect of sexuality,” Tanner states. “With Season 3 becoming centered around the anticipation of sexual activity, Season 4 might have the chance to emphasize queer pleasure.”

According to Tanner, this may encompass discussions about “the various sexual activities suitable for different bodies, managing variations in sexual desire, and how to care for one another post-interaction.”

Netflix Addressed Body Image Issues and Their Effects on Intimacy

A significant plot in this season revolved around Charlie’s mental health. Diagnosed with anorexia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), he seeks treatment. Despite making progress in his recovery, he continues to face struggles with body image. He feels insecure about being perceived as “too skinny,” hides self-harm scars, and is uncomfortable being shirtless.

When he prepares to be intimate with Nick, these insecurities become more pronounced.

Stokes explains that trauma and body image issues can affect individuals’ ability to connect intimately.

“Sex and relationships demand a degree of vulnerability that may feel threatening to someone dealing with trauma or body dysmorphia,” Stokes says. “Those affected may find being naked, accepting touch, or being touched in certain areas of their body challenging.”

It is crucial to communicate clearly about what is pleasurable and what isn’t, Stokes emphasizes.

While not everyone’s journey will mirror Charlie’s, Tanner believes that Netflix did well in portraying his body dysmorphia.

“Heartstopper addressed the complexities of Charlie’s experience, illustrating him with a heightened libido while contending with negative self-perceptions,” she notes. “Entering the realm of sexual activity will inevitably involve learning experiences, and we can empower teens to reduce harm by prioritizing consent in all portrayals of sexuality.”