From ‘smut’ to ‘shipping’ to Harry Styles: here’s your guide to teen fanfic

On top of showing an interest in their hobby (you could ask about their favourite characters or stories and what they like about them), talking to your teen about fanfic can be part of a broader conversation about online safety. It’s helpful to have agreed-upon rules and expectations about what they share online and the kinds of stories that are/aren’t appropriate for their age. It’s also important for us as parents to respect our young person’s need for privacy and not be too invasive with our questions or interest; teens need a space that is private to explore this very personal part of their development.

Even with content filters and online safety software, there’s still a big chance they will come across inappropriate content online, whether through fanfic or something else. Letting your young person know they can always come to you if they see something they know is inappropriate can help mitigate the risks if/when it happens (we’ve written more about talking to young people about explicit content here).

Additionally, a clear discussion about what fantasy means in a sexual context is also very helpful for your teen’s development. Talk about how fantasies can often be something that a person likes thinking about but that they would never want to do in real life. Just because a person has a fantasy—sexual or otherwise—it doesn’t mean they necessarily want to or will try to experience it in real life. Fanfiction can help provide a safe space for the imagination to explore different fantasies in a safe way.

Like most online communities, certain corners of fanfic contain violence or even descriptions of sexual abuse and other content that might be disturbing—particularly for young readers. An ongoing conversation about consent, body safety and respect, especially concerning TV shows and movies you watch together or events in popular culture, will help support your teen to approach fanfic more critically. As our young people move towards adulthood and gain more independence online, they should continue to know they can always speak to us without judgement if they see anything that worries or confuses them.

Fan fiction can be a safe avenue for young people to use their creativity or explore their sexual interests. While it’s not without risks, keeping an open conversation with your teen about both safe relationships and consent, as well as internet safety, will support them in having a positive experience with fanfic.