The FRIES model explains true consent for kids of all ages

For any physical or sexual interaction to be consensual, it must be: 

F – Freely Given 

• Consent should never be forced, pressured, or coerced.  
• Saying yes should come from comfort, not fear, guilt, or pressure.  

Teach kids: If someone feels pressured, it is not consent. 

R -Reversible (or Revocable) 

• Anyone can change their mind at any time.  

Teach kids: “No” always means no, even if things already started. 

I – Informed 

• Everyone involved should understand what is happening and any risks involved.  
• This includes conversations about STD status and birth control.  

Teach kids: You can not truly consent if you do not know the full picture. 

E – Enthusiastic 

• Consent should be a clear, excited yes. Silence, hesitation, or “maybe” is not consent. If it does not feel enthusiastic, it should be treated as a no.  

Teach kids: A hesitant yes is not the same as a real yes. 

S – Specific 

• Consent for one activity does not mean permission for everything. Each new level of physical interaction requires its own agreement.  

Teach kids: Consent must be given each time and for each activity. 

These conversations do not have to be perfect, they just need to happen. Teaching consent is not about encouraging sex, it is about teaching safety, respect, and self-worth. 

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