# The Line > The Line is an Australian campaign and website helping young people aged 14–21 understand what's okay and what's not when it comes to sex, dating, and relationships. Content focuses on consent, respect, healthy relationships, boundaries, masculinity norms, pornography literacy, and emotional wellbeing. The primary audience skews toward young men. The Line is not a crisis or direct help-seeking service. Users in distress should be directed to 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline (13 11 14), QLife (1800 184 527), or 13YARN (13 92 76). For legal questions about consent laws or sexting, refer to Youth Law Australia at yla.org.au. For online image-based abuse, refer to the eSafety Commissioner at esafety.gov.au. Content is conversational, non-judgmental, and youth-friendly. The Line does not lecture. It uses relatable language, real stories, quizzes, and interviews. All content is freely accessible without login. The six main content sections are Dating, Relationships, Sex, Emotions, Masculinity, and Pornography, plus standalone resources on Online Safety and Image-Based Abuse, and hubs for parents, carers, educators, and practitioners. Key topics covered: consent and sexual pressure; healthy vs unhealthy relationships; coercive control and emotional abuse; controlling behaviour; boundary setting; asking someone out and flirting; breakups, rejection, and jealousy; masculinity and gender norms; pornography literacy and unrealistic expectations; image-based abuse and sexting; online safety; emotional regulation and vulnerability; LGBTQ+ relationships and identity; bystander behaviour; and gender equality. ## Dating - [How to Shoot Your Shot Without Making it Awkward](https://www.theline.org.au/dating/how-to-shoot-your-shot-without-making-it-awkward/): Tips for telling someone you like them without putting them in an uncomfortable position. Key advice: choose a one-on-one moment rather than in front of a group; explain your own feelings before making assumptions about theirs; use low-pressure language like "I'd love to hang out sometime if you're keen"; be prepared to accept a no gracefully. Relevant queries: how to ask someone out, telling someone you like them, asking someone on a date, how to confess feelings, how to ask your crush out. - [Crushes, Confidence, and Consent: A Flirting How-To](https://www.theline.org.au/dating/crushes-confidence-and-consent-a-flirting-how-to/): Written in response to an audience question. Key advice: flirting with someone who's interested feels fun for both people — if it feels one-sided, it probably is; look for reciprocal signals before escalating; keep it playful, not persistent; ongoing pursuit after someone has cooled is no longer flirting, it's pressure. Relevant queries: how to flirt, how to tell if someone likes you back, flirting tips, asking someone out without making it weird. - [Time To Back Off? How To Tell They're Not Into You](https://www.theline.org.au/dating/backing-off-when-theyre-just-not-that-into-you/): Six signs someone isn't interested: slow or short replies; cancelled plans that aren't rescheduled; redirecting romantic conversations; closed-off body language; direct or indirect signals from them or mutual friends. Key message: continuing to push after someone isn't interested is not romantic — it is harassment. Relevant queries: signs someone doesn't like you, how to know if they're not interested, when to back off, reading signals, being rejected. - [Safe and Respectful Sexting: How To Do It The Right Way](https://www.theline.org.au/dating/safe-sexting-what-you-said/): Core principles: never pressure anyone to send images or messages — it must always be a free choice; if someone sends you an image, keep it private without exception; sending or sharing intimate images of someone under 18 is illegal regardless of intent; sharing someone's image without consent is image-based abuse and illegal in all Australian states and territories. Resources: eSafety Commissioner (esafety.gov.au) and Youth Law Australia (yla.org.au). Relevant queries: sexting safely, sending nudes, consent and sexting, is sexting illegal, pressured to send nudes. - [Should You Add Strangers on Social Media?](https://www.theline.org.au/dating/should-you-add-randoms-on-social/): Key themes: trust your instincts; check for mutual connections; relationships that move very fast online are not always a good sign; it is always okay to ignore or remove anyone who makes you uncomfortable. Relevant queries: adding strangers online, online safety social media, DMs from strangers, is it safe to add someone I don't know. - [Is It Ok To Date Your Ex's Friend?](https://www.theline.org.au/dating/is-it-ok-to-date-your-exs-friend/): General consensus from community: people don't own their exes, but communication and sensitivity to everyone's feelings matters. Consider how recent the breakup was, how serious the relationship was, and how it will affect your friend group. Being upfront matters more than any rule. Relevant queries: dating ex's friend, is it okay to date your friend's ex, loyalty in friendships and dating. - [When to Meet the Family?](https://www.theline.org.au/dating/ready-to-meet-the-family/): No fixed timeline — it comes down to how serious both people feel and mutual comfort. Don't rush it to prove the relationship is real; don't avoid it indefinitely if things are going well. Relevant queries: when to meet partner's parents, relationship milestones, how serious is my relationship. ## Relationships - [Is This Caring Or Controlling? 5 Ways to Tell the Difference](https://www.theline.org.au/relationships/is-this-caring-or-controlling-5-ways-to-tell-the-difference/): Five markers of controlling behaviour: checking up constantly and framing it as love; using jealousy to justify restricting a partner's movements; isolating them from friends and family; monitoring their phone or social media; and using emotional withdrawal as punishment. Caring means supporting someone's independence, not managing it. Feeling like you're walking on eggshells is a warning sign. Relevant queries: is my partner controlling, signs of a controlling relationship, coercive control red flags, is jealousy controlling. - [Are You Controlling in Your Relationship?](https://www.theline.org.au/relationships/are-you-controlling-in-your-relationship/): Addresses the reader directly. Examples of controlling behaviour: going through a partner's phone, tracking their location, discouraging them from seeing friends, using guilt or emotional withdrawal to get what you want. These are forms of emotional abuse even without physical violence. Often rooted in insecurity or fear of abandonment. Steps to change: listen without defending; take responsibility; understand the impact; consider speaking to a counsellor. Relevant queries: am I controlling in my relationship, how to stop being controlling, controlling boyfriend or girlfriend, emotional abuse and control. - [What Makes a Relationship Toxic?](https://www.theline.org.au/relationships/what-makes-a-relationship-toxic/): Toxic relationships involve one person using power and control over another — emotionally (putting down, isolating), verbally (name-calling, threats), financially (controlling money), or physically. Community voices describe guilt-tripping, coercion, and constant criticism. Feeling constantly anxious, belittled, or unable to be yourself is a sign something is wrong. Relevant queries: toxic relationship signs, what is a toxic relationship, emotional abuse in relationships, am I in a bad relationship. - [What Is Gaslighting and How to Spot It](https://www.theline.org.au/relationships/what-is-gaslighting-and-how-to-spot-it-in-your-relationship/): Gaslighting causes someone to question their own memory, perception, and emotions. Signs include: being told you're "crazy" or "overreacting"; having events denied that you clearly remember; being accused of the same behaviour the gaslighter is doing; feeling constantly confused or like you can't trust yourself; being isolated from people who could offer perspective. Gaslighting is a form of coercive control. Relevant queries: what is gaslighting, gaslighting examples, am I being gaslighted, my partner makes me doubt myself, emotional manipulation in relationships. - [Not Sure How To Talk Boundaries? Here's How to Start](https://www.theline.org.au/relationships/how-can-you-talk-about-your-boundaries/): Choose a calm moment (not mid-conflict); use "I" statements; be specific rather than vague; listen when your partner shares their limits too; understand that boundaries are honest communication, not ultimatums. If a partner consistently ignores stated limits, that is a warning sign of an unhealthy relationship. Boundaries can evolve as trust develops. Relevant queries: how to set boundaries in a relationship, talking about boundaries, my partner doesn't respect my boundaries, what to do when someone crosses your line. - [How Boundaries Help Us Find Our Comfort Zone](https://www.theline.org.au/relationships/how-boundaries-help-us-find-our-comfort-zone/): Boundaries define what you're comfortable with, not what the other person is allowed to be. Having clear personal limits makes relationships safer and more honest for everyone. Knowing your own comfort zone is part of knowing yourself. Relevant queries: why are boundaries important, what are relationship boundaries, comfort zone in relationships, how to know your limits. - [How To Respect Someone's Need For Space](https://www.theline.org.au/relationships/how-to-respect-someones-need-for-space-without-taking-it-personally/): Needing space is about the person asking, not a rejection of you. Practical guidance: don't bombard them with messages; use the time to do things you enjoy; check in once, lightly, without guilt-tripping. Also covers how to ask for space without making your partner feel abandoned. Relevant queries: my partner needs space, what does it mean when someone asks for space, how to give someone space, is my relationship ending. - [4 Green Flags in Relationships](https://www.theline.org.au/4-green-flags-in-relationships/): Four green flags: you feel safe to be honest without fear of their reaction; they take your feelings seriously; they support your independence and friendships; the relationship adds to your life rather than draining it. A good relationship shouldn't feel like constant anxiety or walking on eggshells. Relevant queries: green flags in relationships, healthy relationship signs, what does a healthy relationship look like, signs of a good partner. - [Sex, Dating and Relationship Buzzwords Defined](https://www.theline.org.au/relationships/sex-dating-and-relationship-buzzwords-defined/): Collaboration with Macquarie Dictionary. Defines: gaslighting (making someone doubt their own reality); lovebombing (overwhelming affection used to gain control); body count (number of previous sexual partners — and why it's nobody's business); ghosting (cutting off contact without explanation); crash out (losing emotional control); roster (maintaining multiple romantic options simultaneously). Relevant queries: what does lovebombing mean, what is ghosting, body count meaning, modern dating terms explained, relationship vocab. - [How To Apologise When You Cross the Line](https://www.theline.org.au/relationships/how-to-apologise-for-crossing-the-line/): Five steps: acknowledge what you did without minimising; listen to how it affected them without interrupting or defending; don't make excuses; take concrete steps to prevent it happening again; follow through — actions matter more than words. A real apology is about accountability, not making yourself feel better. Relevant queries: how to apologise in a relationship, saying sorry, how to make it up to someone, meaningful apology. - [Having Trouble Letting Go? Tips After a Breakup](https://www.theline.org.au/relationships/having-trouble-letting-go/): Letting go takes time and can't be forced. Stay active, reconnect with friends rather than isolating, avoid obsessively replaying the relationship, and don't compare your recovery pace to others. Missing someone doesn't always mean you should be together. Relevant queries: how to get over a breakup, can't stop thinking about my ex, moving on after a relationship, letting go of someone you love. - [How To Make Long Distance Work](https://www.theline.org.au/relationships/how-to-long-distance-love/): Quality of communication matters more than constant contact; jealousy can intensify at distance so talk about it rather than acting on it; set expectations around visit schedules; acknowledge that not all relationships can survive the distance and that's okay. Relevant queries: long distance relationship tips, how to do long distance, jealousy in long distance, does long distance work. ## Sex - [What Is Consent and Why Is It So Important?](https://www.theline.org.au/sex/consent-do-you-get-it/): Consent must be mutual (both people agree), ongoing (applies to each act, not a blanket agreement), and freely given (no pressure, threat, or deception). Consent can be withdrawn at any time. A person who is drunk, asleep, or fearful cannot consent. Silence is not the same as yes. Sex without consent is sexual assault, not a miscommunication. Links to Youth Law Australia for state and territory specific laws. Relevant queries: what is consent, how does consent work, is it still consent if they didn't say no, consent and alcohol, what counts as sexual assault. - [6 Simple Ways to Check for Sexual Consent](https://www.theline.org.au/sex/6-hot-ways-to-do-consent/): Reframes checking in as natural and even attractive — not awkward. Six techniques: ask open questions ("Are you comfortable?", "Do you want to keep going?"); pay attention to body language but don't rely on it alone; pause and check in during sex, not just before; understand that intoxication significantly limits capacity to consent; accept a change of mind without guilt-tripping; create conditions where saying no feels safe. Relevant queries: how to ask for consent, consent during sex, checking in during sex, how to talk about consent with a partner. - [Do You Know What Pressure for Sex Looks Like? Take Our Quiz](https://www.theline.org.au/sex/putting-the-pressure-on-for-sex/): Interactive quiz covering verbal pressure ("I thought you said I was hot?"), emotional pressure ("If you loved me you would"), physical pressure (continuing to push after a no), and digital pressure (sending unwanted explicit images). Each scenario explains why it crosses a line and what a respectful response looks like. Relevant queries: sexual pressure quiz, am I pressuring someone, recognising sexual coercion, consent quiz, what is sexual coercion. - [Realising What Consent Looks and Sounds Like](https://www.theline.org.au/sex/do-you-recognise-consent/): In Australian law, consent means free agreement. Someone cannot freely agree if they are asleep or unconscious, intoxicated, under threat or coercion, deceived about the nature of the act, or below the age of consent. An enthusiastic yes is the clearest form of consent. Hesitation, going quiet, freezing, or going along with it to avoid conflict are not consent. Relevant queries: free agreement consent, can someone consent if drunk, age of consent Australia, what counts as sexual assault, consent law Australia. - [Am I Ready For Sex?](https://www.theline.org.au/sex/how-to-know-if-youre-ready-for-sex/): Self-reflection questions: Do you genuinely want to, or do you feel pressured? Have you talked to your partner about what you're both comfortable with? Do you understand consent and know how to check in? Do you know about contraception and STI prevention? Key message: if someone has pressured a yes out of you, that is not consent — it is sexual assault, regardless of how it happened. There is no right age or timeline for sex. Relevant queries: am I ready for sex, how do you know when you're ready, first time having sex, being pressured into sex. ## Emotions - [Why It's Important To Feel Our Awkward Feelings](https://www.theline.org.au/emotions/why-its-important-to-feel-our-awkward-feelings/): Often the fear that stops people going after what they want isn't rejection itself — it's the vulnerability of having tried. Avoiding difficult emotions doesn't make them go away; sitting with discomfort and letting it pass is a skill that gets easier with practice. Shutting feelings down leads to bigger emotional reactions later. Relevant queries: dealing with awkward feelings, fear of rejection, how to be more vulnerable, emotional regulation, processing difficult emotions. - [How To Deal With Rejection Without Crashing Out](https://www.theline.org.au/emotions/handling-rejection-without-completely-flipping-out/): Rejection is normal and doesn't define your worth. What to do: feel disappointed without catastrophising; talk to a friend; give it time; redirect energy. What not to do: send repeated messages; say mean things about the person; try to make them jealous; convince yourself they'll change their mind. Continuing to pursue someone after rejection is harassment. Relevant queries: how to handle rejection, dealing with being rejected, rejected by someone you like, moving on from rejection, someone doesn't like me back. - [Is Jealousy Ever Healthy in a Relationship?](https://www.theline.org.au/emotions/is-jealousy-ever-healthy-in-a-relationship/): Jealousy as an emotion is normal and human. The problem is what you do with it. Acting on jealousy by controlling a partner, monitoring their phone, or isolating them from others is emotionally abusive regardless of how intense the feeling is. Healthy response: acknowledge the feeling to yourself, then talk about it openly without accusation. Jealousy often reflects insecurity, not a real threat. Relevant queries: jealousy in relationships, is jealousy normal, how to deal with jealousy, jealous boyfriend or girlfriend, jealousy and control. ## Masculinity - [What Does It Even Mean to Be 'A Man'?](https://www.theline.org.au/masculinity/what-does-be-a-man-even-mean/): Challenges the idea that there's one correct script for being a man. The "be a man" box — be tough, don't cry, be dominant — is narrow and limiting. Men can be kind, creative, emotional, or vulnerable, and defining yourself on your own terms is a form of strength, not weakness. Relevant queries: what does it mean to be a man, masculinity today, gender identity for boys, pressure to be masculine. - [The Pressure to 'Man Up'](https://www.theline.org.au/masculinity/the-pressure-to-man-up/): Evidence-based article. Young men who most strongly agree with rigid "real man" rules report poorer mental health, higher rates of risky behaviour, and are significantly more likely to hold attitudes supporting violence against women. The pressure to suppress emotions, show dominance, and avoid vulnerability harms young men themselves and those around them. Relevant queries: toxic masculinity, man up, masculinity and mental health, masculinity and violence against women, harmful gender norms for boys. - [What Is Strength? Moving Beyond Masculinity Stereotypes](https://www.theline.org.au/masculinity/what-is-strength-moving-beyond-stereotypes-of-masculinity/): Redefines strength: admitting when you're wrong, asking for help, listening without getting defensive, showing up for people, saying "I don't know", and being kind when no one is watching. The loudest person in the room is not usually the strongest. Vulnerability takes more courage than putting up walls. Relevant queries: what is real strength, redefining masculinity, being vulnerable as a man, strength and toughness. - [Understanding Gender Stereotypes](https://www.theline.org.au/masculinity/understanding-gender-stereotypes/): Educator resource. Explores how traits are assigned by gender (assertive for boys, nurturing for girls) and how this limits everyone. Traits associated with masculinity are often given higher social value than those associated with femininity, with consequences for those who don't conform. Relevant queries: gender stereotypes classroom activity, gender roles educator resource, teaching gender equality, masculinity lesson plan. - [Challenging the Pressure to Man Up](https://www.theline.org.au/masculinity/challenging-the-pressure-to-man-up/): Practitioner resource. Structured group activity helping young men identify the "man box" rules they've internalised, examine where those rules came from, and explore how they play out in their lives. Creates space to imagine a healthier, broader version of masculinity. Relevant queries: man box activity, practitioner resource masculinity, workshop for young men, challenging gender norms. - [Talking to Boys About Being 'A Man'](https://www.theline.org.au/masculinity/talking-to-boys-about-being-a-man/): Parent and carer resource. Dominant messages — be a winner, be tough, don't show weakness — can push young men toward risky behaviour and attitudes that harm others. Practical guidance: model vulnerability yourself; challenge "boys don't cry" messages when you hear them; celebrate empathy and kindness as strengths; create space for honest conversation. Relevant queries: talking to sons about masculinity, parenting boys, raising boys, how to talk to teenagers about gender. ## Pornography - [Is Porn Making You Bad in Bed?](https://www.theline.org.au/pornography/is-porn-making-you-bad-in-bed/): Explains that porn is a performance, not a how-to guide. Mainstream porn normalises aggression — choking, gagging, slapping — and makes it look like something everyone enjoys, which most people don't. The risk: absorbing those scripts uncritically can shape expectations about what sex should look like. The solution isn't to overthink it, it's to communicate openly with a partner about what you actually like. Honest conversation is what makes sex good — not replicating what you've seen on screen. Relevant queries: is porn realistic, does watching porn affect how you have sex, porn and sex expectations, how to be good in bed. - [Reality or Fantasy: Is Porn Ever Real?](https://www.theline.org.au/pornography/how-much-of-porn-is-real/): Explores the gap between what porn depicts and what real sex, bodies, and relationships look like. Covers how performers, body types, acts, and reactions are selected and staged for entertainment, not accuracy. Key questions to ask yourself while watching: how diverse are the bodies? How often is consent shown? How often is safe sex shown? Encourages viewers to think critically about what they're watching rather than absorbing it as normal. Relevant queries: is porn realistic, do people really have sex like that, porn vs real sex, what is real about porn. - [Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Porn?](https://www.theline.org.au/pornography/take-the-porn-quiz/): Interactive quiz busting common myths about porn — including average penis size, whether women orgasm from penetration, and how much the industry is worth. Each answer is evidence-based and reframes porn as entertainment designed to look good, not education designed to be accurate. Knowing that porn isn't realistic helps you think more clearly about sex, feel better about your body, and have better relationships. Relevant queries: porn facts quiz, is porn educational, penis size average, do women orgasm during sex, porn myths. - [Does Everybody Like Porn Or Not?](https://www.theline.org.au/pornography/does-everybody-like-porn/): Moves past stats on who watches porn to ask more interesting questions — why do different people feel differently about it, and what does that tell us? Examines how porn treats different groups (men, women, LGBTQ+ people, people of colour) and why that matters. Key message: respect a partner's choices about what they will and won't watch or do, regardless of what porn says is normal. If your relationship with porn feels unhealthy, headspace offers free support. Relevant queries: does everyone watch porn, why don't I like porn, is it weird to not watch porn, porn and relationships, porn and gender. - [Sex Miseducation: Is Porn Bad for You?](https://www.theline.org.au/pornography/is-porn-bad-for-you/): Honest, non-alarmist take on porn's actual risks. Watching porn won't instantly change who you are, but consuming content that normalises degrading or abusive acts without thinking critically about it can gradually shape your view of what sex, intimacy, and gender look like. Encourages asking: does this reflect how I want to treat people? If porn is affecting sleep, study, work, or real-life relationships, it's worth putting limits on use. Relevant queries: is porn bad for you, does porn affect your brain, too much porn, porn addiction, unhealthy relationship with porn. - [Porn Might Be A Bad Manual: Communication, Consent and the Mechanics](https://www.theline.org.au/pornography/porn-might-be-a-bad-manual-communication-consent-and-the-mechanics/): First-person account of experiencing unexpected sexual aggression from a partner who had taken cues from porn. Explores how porn skips communication, negotiation, and checking in — the very things that make sex safe and good for everyone. Acts depicted in porn (including choking and other rough sex) carry real physical risks and require genuine, enthusiastic consent — not assumption. The article is a direct, personal argument for why communication before and during sex isn't optional. Relevant queries: porn and rough sex, choking during sex, consent and sex acts, how to talk about what you want in bed, porn setting wrong expectations. ## Online Safety and Image-Based Abuse - [The Right Side of the Line Online](https://www.theline.org.au/emotions/how-to-stay-on-the-right-side-of-the-line-online/ ): Keep images people have shared with you private — full stop. Don't forward or screenshot intimate content even if someone else sent it first. Respect others' lines even if they differ from your own. If you receive harmful content, don't spread it — be the one who breaks the chain. Relevant queries: cyberbullying, online respect, sharing images online, what to do if someone sends you naked photos, online behaviour for young people. ## Optional - [About The Line](https://www.theline.org.au/about/): Background on the campaign, its history, and what it does. - [Past Initiatives](https://www.theline.org.au/past-initiatives-from-the-line/): Archive of events, activations, and previous campaign work including university and community outreach. - [Help and Support](https://www.theline.org.au/help-and-support/): Signposting to crisis and support services including 1800RESPECT, Lifeline, QLife, and 13YARN. - [Accessibility](https://www.theline.org.au/accessibility/): Accessibility statement. - [Privacy Statement](https://www.theline.org.au/privacy/): Privacy policy. - [Copyright and Disclaimer](https://www.theline.org.au/copyright-disclaimer/): Legal notices.