A youth group is urging New Zealanders to have more open discussions with young people to counter the impact of negative sexual content.

Five students - with links to Opotiki College – were charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a young person under the age of 16.

Youthline's Stephen Bell said it’s difficult to stop teens from viewing sexual content, but it’s important we provide balance.

“We need to engage with our young people in schools and in families so that we counter what they might be meeting in the free-for-all of the internet.”

Bell is asking adults to step up to the mark and take leadership over the issue.

“The influence on a young person and their behaviour comes from the world around them, that’s why it’s the responsibility of adults to lead the charge around what’s normal.”

The students charged will appear in Opotiki District Court tomorrow.

Police said that while the men have links to Opotiki College, nothing suggests the alleged offending occurred at the school, or that any school staff were involved.