Earlier than most parents expect, and more gradually than most parents plan. Many children are first exposed to sexualized content, messaging, or peer pressure around age 11, sometimes younger, often without seeking it out. That means waiting until adolescence can leave kids trying to interpret adult material without adult guidance.
Think of this as an ongoing conversation that grows with your child. Early on, it’s about body autonomy, privacy, and listening to discomfort. Later, it becomes about consent, respect, digital permanence, and relationships. You are not introducing risk by talking about it. You are giving your child language and context so they are not alone when something confusing happens.