HBO has consistently produced original series that prominently feature acts of rape, sexualized violence, nudity, orgies, and more in nearly unprecedented graphic detail. By inserting explicit softcore pornography into mainstream entertainment, HBO is a top contributor to sexual exploitation. Shows like Game of Thrones, Westworld, and The Deuce make murder-sex and sexual assault something that can be watched for “fun.” The depth of social irresponsibility for producing such content, in a society that is already struggling to combat crises of sexual assault and rape culture, cannot be overstated. Media—whether in the form of the written word, movies, television, advertisements, songs, or the visual arts, etc.— is a powerful driver of social norms. Cognitive script theory asserts that media provides a heuristic learning model that outlines: 1) what should or should not be happening in a given scenario, 2) how others will respond to certain actions, and 3) what the total outcome will be of a given scenario. In the age of #MeToo, and the heightened cultural dialogue surrounding sexual harassment, assault, and consent, the entertainment industry and media influencers have an opportunity to promote thoughtful and progressive social discourse surrounding subjects of sexual abuse and exploitation. Instead of doing that, though, HBO's new show "Euphoria" normalizes pornographic depictions of teenagers. Even though the actors and actresses may not be minors, the entire premise of the show is to depict the life and times of minors and thusly the show intentionally promotes and attempts to normalize pornographic images that are tantamount to child sexual abuse images. In an age where people who traffic minors for sexual exploitation are being rightfully brought to justice for their abhorrent behavior, how can anyone in good conscious promote and normalize the pornographic depiction of teenagers? It’s time to stop normalizing and promoting sexually exploitative trends in mainstream media and we are calling on you to do the right thing by ending the pornographic depictions of teenagers in "Euphoria" right away.

HBO's new show "Euphoria" normalizes pornographic depictions of teenagers. Even though the actors and actresses may not be minors themselves, the entire premise of the show is to depict the life and times of minors and thusly the show intentionally promotes and attempts to normalize pornographic images that are tantamount to child sexual abuse images. In an age where people who traffic minors for sexual exploitation are being rightfully brought to justice for their abhorrent behavior, how can anyone in good conscious promote and normalize the pornographic depiction of teenagers? It’s time to stop normalizing and promoting sexually exploitative trends in mainstream media Please end the pornographic depictions of teenagers in the show "Euphoria" right away.

Historically, HBO has consistently produced original series that prominently feature acts of rape, sexualized violence, nudity, orgies, and more in nearly unprecedented graphic detail. By inserting explicit softcore pornography into mainstream entertainment, HBO is a top contributor to sexual exploitation. Shows like Game of Thrones, Westworld, and The Deuce make sexual exploitation of many forms something that can be watched for “fun.” The depth of social irresponsibility for producing such content, in a society that is already struggling to combat crises of sexual assault and rape culture, cannot be overstated. HBO's new television series Euphoria goes a step farther in an unconscionable manner. In an age where people who traffic minors for sexual exploitation are being rightfully brought to justice for their abhorrent behavior, how can anyone in good conscious promote and normalize the pornographic depiction of teenagers the way that Euphoria does? Even though the actors and actresses may not be minors, the entire premise of the show is to depict the life and times of minors and thusly the show intentionally promotes and attempts to normalize pornographic images that are tantamount to child sexual abuse images. We are calling on you to do the right thing by ending these pornographic depictions of teenagers in right away.