The other day, prominent UK professor Sonia Livingstone tweeted that the latest post in the Parenting for a Digital Future blog (which she helped create) has proven controversial. That’s not a huge surprise. The post argues that not including online porn in high school sex education classes “is a missed opportunity.” I agree. The post’s writer, Claire Meehan, a lecturer in criminology at … [Read more...] about Uncontroversial: Online porn in sex ed
sex education
Social media major factor in teens’ social & sex lives: Australia study
With its 5th national study of Australian teens' sexual attitudes, behaviors and health since 1992, La Trobe University for the first time took a careful look at social media's role in their social and sexual lives, finding that it plays a significant one. "Our survey clearly shows the major role social media has in the negotiation and development of sexual relationships," said the study's lead … [Read more...] about Social media major factor in teens’ social & sex lives: Australia study
For better child-sexual-exploitation prevention
Child sexual exploitation has long been part of the Internet safety discussion, so here's a tip for good prevention online and offline: We need to talk with and listen to our children using correct language that's free of cultural taboos – and keep the communication channels wide-open. "Child-sexual-abuse educators believe teaching and confidently using universally applicable anatomical terms is … [Read more...] about For better child-sexual-exploitation prevention
Helping kids who encounter porn: ‘The Talk’ x3
It's no longer just two talks that parents need to have with their kids, the New York Times suggests – "the early lesson about the 'birds and the bees' and the more delicate discussion of how to navigate a healthy sexual life as a young adult" – but now also "the [online] pornography talk." It's a great piece that quotes top sources on the subject, almost echoing one by my ConnectSafely … [Read more...] about Helping kids who encounter porn: ‘The Talk’ x3
Texting sex education
"Why do guys think it’s cool to sleep with a girl and tell their friends?" is one of the (easier) questions North Carolina teens have texted to the Birds and Bees Text Line, a project of the Durham-based Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina. "Within 24 hours, each will receive a cautious, nonjudgmental reply, texted directly to their cellphones, from a nameless, faceless … [Read more...] about Texting sex education