Teen Vogue have been social media to encourage children to have abortions without parental knowledge.
The magazine is directed towards teenage girls and it was found to be using the social media platform ‘Snapchat’ to instruct teenagers about how to obtain an abortion without their parents’ knowledge or consent.
The founder of the Canadian pro-life group Choice42, Laura Klassen, shared a post on Facebook which included screenshots from Snapchat.
In the images, Teen Vogue tells teens, “Having access to abortion should be your right, regardless of your parents’ beliefs. Unfortunately, not every state legislature agrees…” and then goes on to instruct teens how best to avoid their parents.
“You know your parents best, and if you feel their reactions might be hostile, you should act accordingly,” says another Snap. “Regardless, it’s always best to tell your parents as long as you feel safe. No matter what your parents’ abstract views are, they might behave far more tenderly when their own child needs access to abortion care.”
In reaction to these images many asserted their parental right as primary educators of their children to know and be involved in such intrusive procedures, and pointed out that abortion is not medicine, because pregnancy is not a disease.
Abortion is available in England and Wales to children from under the age of 16 without parental knowledge or consent, if they are thought to understand the nature and consequences of abortion.
Spokesperson for Right To Life UK, Catherine Robinson said:
“This should be a real wake up call for many parents. It remains unclear to what extent targeted promotion of abortion to teenage girls via social media is taking place. Even if it is not currently happening, there is no reason to think it cannot or will not.”
“At the very least, it remains grossly irresponsible for Teen Vogue to attempt to encourage teenagers to have abortions, particularly without the knowledge or consent of their parents.”
