UK students call for school uniforms to be banned in pornography

Aylin and Mae, 15-year-old students from Bicester, Oxfordshire, England, are leading a campaign to ban school uniforms from appearing in pornographic material. During a discussion in their school's Little Feminist Book Club, they learned that teens at other schools wanted to ban school uniforms from sex shops, as schoolgirl costumes are often used in pornographic videos.

The sisters launched a petition to raise awareness, with Mae telling DW that all members unanimously agreed to extend the ban to all pornography. Many students have faced unpleasant experiences while wearing their uniforms, including harassment as early as the age of 11. The girls cite a 2018 report by charity Plan International, which found that 35% of 1,004 respondents aged 14 to 21 had experienced unwanted sexual attention while wearing a school uniform, and 8% had been "upskirt" photographed.

Mae and Aylin argue that school uniforms, intended to symbolize community and prevent bullying, have been tarnished by their misuse in pornographic media. The girls hope their petition will eventually lead to legislation, and have already gathered over 24,000 signatures since its October 5, 2026, launch. With two MPs expressing support, the sisters remain optimistic about their campaign.