According to multiple sources, including, , , and, Sex Education season 4 is set in the present day, which is 2023. Despite the shows aesthetic, which includes fashion and decor that may appear to be from the 1980s or 1990s, the shows creators have confirmed that it is set in the late 2010s and includes references to advanced technology like smartphones and tablets that place it after 2017. The shows creators have explained that the vintage, secondhand, mishmash of looks is intentional and meant to make the series feel timeless.