We are told comprehensive sex education and we think of a brochure on contraceptives and lectures on teen pregnancy. But the reality is that it refers to a much broader concept, encompassing medically accurate and age-appropriate information about development, sexual behavior, healthy relationships, life and communication skills, sexual orientation and gender identity. It is a comprehensive approach to sex and its implications for people's lives .
The Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine notes the importance of sex education that begins in elementary school, is structured and of longer duration, is LGBTQ-inclusive across the school curriculum, and has a social justice approach to healthy sexuality.
But in the vast digital world, misinformation spreads quickly and can affect young people's understanding and decisions in the sexual realm. From myths about contraception to unfounded claims about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), it's easy to get lost in a maze of misinformation.
Misinformation Starts at Home
Worse, misinformation can be spread under the umbrella of "parental rights," where valuable information is suppressed in favor of political and religious ideologies that propose sexual abstention as the only contraceptive method and the denial of the right to abortion and to know diversity as a valid option.
With 93% of teenagers using social networks, the Internet has become one of the usual sources of information for them, where they are more vulnerable to misinformation, fake news and manipulation.According to surveys, 71% of the population has consumed fake news online.
Lack of comprehensive sexuality education has serious consequences: reduced condom use, increasing the risk of STIs, including HIV. Less contraceptive use, which increases the risk of unwanted pregnancies; and less understanding and increased stigma and shame around the sexual and gender identity spectrum.
How to Distinguish Between the Real and the Fake?
Verify sources: always verify the source, authorship and origin of information before believing or sharing information. Investigate beyond the main photograph or headline, check the date of publication,
look for other sources and compare the information to verify its veracity. Contribute by denouncing sites and people who share "fake news". Consume content from reliable organizations. Example: Unicef, WHO o AyaContigo.
Up-to-date and verifiable information: learns from experts, attends workshops and seeks up-to-date information. Example: Mulier, Planned Parenthood, Fos Feminista.
You can use information verification platforms such as https://learntocheck.org/, where there are specific resources to fight disinformation and fake news.
Conversations: talk to friends, family and friends about comprehensive sex education without taboos. Check.
Access the Aya Contigo app for safe, reliable and verifiable information on sexual health issues.
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