HBO is known for displaying graphic sex scenes and nudity in a lot of its originals, but it raises the question of whether high schoolers should watch a show with such content.

“Euphoria” is an HBO Max teen drama television series starring Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi and Alexa Demie. The series follows high school teenagers as they navigate drugs, love, sex and mental health.

Sex scenes in TV shows involving high schoolers aren’t something new. Previous generations had shows like “Degrassi” which is very similar to “Euphoria.” In fact, the two are often compared. 

According to the HBO website, the series is rated TV-MA, but a lot of teens end up watching it because of the fact that it portrays high schoolers.

“Euphoria” nudity scenes have garnered a lot of attention online to the point where Sydney Sweeney, who plays Cassie, was asked about it in an interview with The Independent. She discussed having conversations with Sam Levinson, the creator and writer of the show, about taking out topless scenes that she deemed unnecessary. 

Priss Sommers, a first-year psychology major at NIU, doesn’t see why viewers should have a problem with the sex scenes. 

“It’s nobody else’s business who’s (having sex) with who,” Sommers said. “If you don’t want to see naked bodies go watch something else.”

Mikaiyah Graves, a first-year elementary education major at NIU, thinks the graphic sex scenes could impact high schoolers and possibly those even younger. 

“People might think it’s okay and take it the wrong way,” Graves said. “Even with the drug aspect too, it can be taken out of context.”

These opposing opinions reflect the division between viewers who watch the show on Sunday nights and discuss week after week if these scenes are relevant or essential to the plot.

Molly Holmes, director of the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center at NIU, understands that high schoolers may be exposed to graphic scenes because there aren’t available resources that are telling them the proper ways of safe and healthy sex. 

“People get pregnant in high school and we shouldn’t try to hide that, it’s factual,” said Reign Hobson, a first-year family social services major at NIU. 

Holmes said that there are age-old beliefs of teenagers either not having sex or people believe that they aren’t so, therefore, they aren’t getting the proper health-based education. She believes that “Euphoria” could start conversations around sex especially within certain communities. 

“A community resource would be Safe Passage and they help people in response to sexual assault or stalking, but I think it also promotes [what to do] before we get to those places,” Holmes said.