Cambridge University issues content warning for fairy tale webinar

Clare College, part of the University of Cambridge, has issued a content warning for an upcoming online humanities webinar aimed at sixth-form students. The warning flags that the session will involve “adult content including themes of violence, with reference to fairytales.”

The webinar is part of an outreach program designed to help GCSE and A-level students prepare for university-level study by encouraging them to “read beneath the surface” of traditional stories. The course intends to explore the historical, cultural, and psychological symbolism within fairy tales rather than treating them solely as children’s entertainment.

The decision has sparked a debate regarding the use of trigger warnings in academia. Critics, including representatives from the Free Speech Union, have described the move as “infantilising.” Others have expressed concern that such warnings may discourage lecturers from presenting controversial topics, potentially stifling critical discussion in educational settings.