Explanation
Some broader questions on the topic of intimacy are presented to you to create discussion in the main group and to encourage further reflection. If some young people are uncomfortable answering any of the questions, they are free not to do so.
Educational objectives
Define in their words what intimacy is, including sexual intimacy.
- Evaluate and differentiate the impacts of sharing sexual intimacy among kids of their age from those experienced by their parents at the same age.
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using social networks to share their intimacy, including sexual intimacy.
Progress
Before the activity
- Get acquainted with the questions and choose them appropriately according to your group of young people;
- Provide rules of conduct that young people will have to respect (e.g..: turn to speak, respect, etc.).
During the activity
- Read the Preamble in front of the young people;
- Ask a first question in a large group;
- Ask the youth who wishes to answer the question;
- You must finish the workshop with the Key messages.
Equipment
- A computer (in a small group)
- A computer + backdrop + projector (in the main group)
or
- Printed questions
- Printed Key messages
Preamble
This meeting will discuss what kids your age think about intimacy and sexual intimacy, in relation to the use of the Internet and social networks.
To discuss this subject, it is not necessary to have already had a "boyfriend " or a "girlfriend " or sexual experiences. We only hope that you can share your opinions, whatever they are! You can also decide not to answer a question.
You are all invited to remain discreet (e.g.: don't mention names of friends to describe such attitude or behavior). Likewise, it's up to you to decide what you want to share with others.
During the discussion, if you're not sure of what a question or a word means, or even how to answer, don't hesitate to ask us to clarify the question.
a. What is different?
b. What is similar?
a. What is different?
b. What is similar?
a. If yes, in what way(s)?
b. What do you think of this way of doing things?
c. Are there any benefits to using social networks or the Internet to share intimacy in this way? If yes, which ones?
d. Are there any disadvantages to using social networks or the Internet to share intimacy in this way? If yes, which ones?
- Intimacy is when you are close enough to someone to share your emotions, opinions, fears, dreams, and so on. During these confidences, one feels comfortable, in confidence and in safety.
- Sexual intimacy, for its part, can also be experienced with a person with whom we feel very close, but with whom we also share sexual activities. It can include kisses and caresses, but also our desires, needs, and limitations. In both cases, communication, trust, and experience are key elements.
- Nowadays, social networks encourage people to quickly share different aspects of their intimacy. When an important event takes place in our lives, we get carried away and we quickly want to reveal intimate elements such as secrets or photos.
- Sometimes we reveal ourselves more intimately because we believe that this will be the way that we can be noticed, receive Likes or even seduce the other person. It can be a concealed manner of receiving attention and appreciation.
- Some music, movie or sports stars expose several aspects of their intimacy on social networks and flaunt themselves in a hypersexualized way. This may lead us to believe that everyone is doing it.
- Modesty is not always popular, and technology and social networks lead us to reveal ourselves more than our parents did. While the latter used a diary to record their secrets and moods, some people today tend to use their Facebook. While the diary, as its name suggests, was to keep certain aspects for oneself, our Facebook newsfeed is very public.
- Whether via text messages, social networks or an app, it can be riskier to do such sharing and it is possible to lose control of the information and/or images posted...
- One thing remains: shared intimacy with someone, whether in person or online, requires trust, complicity and time. No need to hurry to reveal everything. Keep a little shyness, in addition to fanning the desire to know more about each other and to prolong the pleasure, it is often much safer when it comes time to get closer to someone we like!