Opinion: It’s Time for Nationwide Consent Education in Schools

Children and teens across the United States are growing up in a world that is complex, digital, and often unsafe — yet our education system is still failing to prepare them for one of the most critical parts of growing up: understanding consent, boundaries, and respectful communication.

While some states have taken steps toward teaching consent and digital safety, the truth is, there is no consistent, nationwide standard. And the consequences of that are real. Many children and teens are navigating relationships, harassment, and online pressure without the tools or language to protect themselves — or others.

We need federal legislation that does four essential things:

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1. Start Early: Consent and Body Autonomy in Pre-K Through 6th Grade

Children should be taught age-appropriate, trauma-informed lessons about body autonomy, private parts, personal space, and saying “no.” These aren’t just safety lessons — they’re the foundation for confidence, self-advocacy, and long-term respect.

Many children who are sexually abused by adults don’t realize it is abuse until years later. Some are manipulated into thinking it’s a “special” relationship, or may feel physical pleasure and believe that means it wasn’t wrong. But children must be taught clearly: even if it feels good, it is still abuse. Their bodies might react in ways they don’t understand — but that doesn’t make it right, and it doesn’t make it their fault.

This education must also make it clear that being touched inappropriately by other children is not okay either. Abuse doesn’t only come from adults. Kids need to understand that they have the right to body boundaries with everyone, including peers. And when something makes them uncomfortable, confused, or unsafe, it’s always okay — and important — to speak up.

That’s why early education is so critical. Kids need to know that no one — adult or child — ever has the right to touch them inappropriately. They need the language, the support, and the safety to recognize abuse and say something.

1. Middle and High School: Teach Consent, Digital Ethics, and the Law

From sexting to AI-generated nudes to online coercion, teens face pressures many adults didn’t experience at that age. Our education system must catch up. Students should learn:
• What real consent looks like — and doesn’t look like
• Why sharing explicit content is illegal and harmful, even “with permission”
• How to recognize emotional manipulation, digital harassment, and coercion

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1. Harassment Response Coordinators in Every School

Too many students suffer in silence because they don’t know who to turn to, or they fear being ignored or blamed. Every school, from Pre-K through 12th grade, should have a clearly identified, trauma-trained staff member responsible for handling harassment reports with care and clarity.
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1. Education Over Punishment

We can’t rely solely on criminal systems to solve what is ultimately a crisis of education. Harsh punishment doesn’t teach empathy — education does. We must invest in prevention, not just reaction.

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This isn’t about scaring kids — it’s about empowering them. It’s about preparing a generation to move through the world with awareness, respect, and resilience. And yes, it’s about holding schools accountable for creating environments where students feel safe, seen, and protected.

I recently wrote to Senator Tammy Duckworth and others urging them to lead on this issue. But this isn’t a one-person fight. It’s something all of us — as citizens, parents, students, and educators — should be demanding at the national level.

Consent education shouldn’t be optional. It should be expected. And it should be everywhere.

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What You Can Do:
If you’re reading this and believe change is needed, I urge you to act locally, too. No matter what state you live in, you can contact your State Superintendent of Education, State Senator, or State Representative and ask them to support legislation that mandates consent education and school-based harassment support.

This issue doesn’t get fixed in one state — it has to happen everywhere. So please, wherever you are, take a moment to send this message (or your own version of it) to the people who represent your voice in education and policy. Real change starts with pressure from the public — and that includes you.