Teens consider their choices around sex more thoughtfully when they access accurate information around sex
A recent article in the New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/31/us/sex-education-for-teenagers-online-and-in-texts.html, describes new initiatives to help teens to access accurate and immediate information regarding contraception, relationships and disease prevention. Teenagers report learning about sex primarily from the internet or by goggling the subject. By developing new initiatives that are easy for teenagers to access, on the web and through texting, teens are able to get accurate information while maintaining their anonymity. For example, Planned Parenthood’s new program termed “In Case You’re Curious” or ICYC, allows Denver area teenagers to text ICYC to ask any sex related question. Teens receive a medically accurate answer within 24 hours. As teens feel free to ask questions and learn the facts, they go on to make more thoughtful decisions around sex and relationships. Instead of being caught off guard and acting on impulse, each time they ask a question and receive an answer they are forced to slow down and consider this new data. As teens ask questions they tend to stop and consider the bigger picture, or their long term best interest, instead of just the immediate moment. This can happen in the context of accurate information on the internet as well as through adults developing trusting relationships with teens where teens feel free to ask questions without fear or judgment.
Posted in: choices, learning, sex, teen sexuality, teens. Bookmark the permalink.