It’s no secret that social media and internet use among young people has rapidly increased over the years. Plus, with summer break right around the corner, you’ll likely see a surge in screen time among youth. That screen time can mean constant messages about sexuality, body image, and relationships – and not all of them positive or healthy. Messages might appear overtly, like in explicit media. Other times, they may show up in subtler ways, like through ads, video games, or public comments. Either way, we unfortunately don’t have much say in what gets shared online, what reaches young people, and how they interpret that information.
As access to technology grows, so does the connection between sexual health and social media. On the bright side, we know this isn’t always bad. Youth may find information that is inclusive of their identities, view content directly from sexual health professionals, or access trusted resources designed to be age appropriate. However, this isn’t always what happens…Youth can pretty easily find inaccurate and harmful information, become upset by graphic or triggering content, or even compromise their safety while trying to find a sense of belonging online.
What can we do about it? For starters, we can equip young people with the skills to navigate these digital spaces so they can stay healthy and informed!
Tips to help youth be mindful when engaging online:
1. Encourage media literacy.
It may seem simple, but encouraging youth to fact-check information and ask questions about the media they consume can go a long way. By asking questions about what they’re watching, they may begin to see that not everything posted online is factual or black-and-white. This strategy isn’t just for sexual health information; it can be used for any media content! Maybe you just watched a movie together or saw a funny video online. Start a discussion by connecting what you just watched to real-life events or experiences. Ask questions like:
– When was it made?
– Why was it made?
– What does it want me to do?
– How did you interpret what happened? How might someone else interpret it?
– What lifestyles are they representing here?
– Who or what is missing from the story?
2. Model healthy boundaries with the internet and social media.
The less time a young person spends online, the more time they can spend shaping their worldview from their support systems rather than strangers. Reducing your screen time, sharing how you use the internet with discernment, and thinking about what media you choose to engage with can help the young people in your life see what a healthy relationship with the media can look like.
3. Talk about digital safety and privacy.
While social media can create opportunities for young people to connect with others, it can also create issues when too much of someone’s personal life is shared online. There is a risk of harassment, unwanted messages, or exploitation. To prevent this, you can share some basic safety precautions youth can take, like not sharing their name/location/school, not giving out their personal cell phone number, and enabling privacy settings.
4. Offer alternative trusted resources they can explore on their own.
Youth may be more comfortable seeking information through the internet because they can be anonymous. While we’d love for all youth to feel comfortable asking trusted adults in their lives about sexual health, a step towards that is to meet them where they’re at and share examples of trusted resources that allow them to stay anonymous. There are organizations like AMAZE, Healthy Teen Network, and Amplify Youth Health Collective with a variety of professionally made online resources that are medically accurate and age-appropriate! Teen Clinic answers questions via a free and anonymous texting service. If a young person has a question, they can text it to 405-882-3598 (English) or 405-439-6558 (Spanish).
5. Start early and provide them with the facts up front.
You don’t have to wait to respond. You can create teaching opportunities by sharing information before they bring it up or encounter something online. Maybe you find something on your social media feed and offer insight about it, or you share information about menstrual products when you see them in the grocery store. Not everything has to be a big learning moment, and youth may prefer to get info in small everyday moments, like how they get info online.
6. Utilize your community resources; it’s OK to ask for help!
All of us have something to learn. There are a variety of organizations that are fueled by a passion to support parents, caregivers, and youth-serving adults trying to provide their youth with accurate sexual health information. Our next Project Equip training can specifically provide you with the skills to support the youth in your life as they encounter sexually explicit media.
It can feel overwhelming to tackle all the possible outcomes of youth being online. But when you teach them the skills to think critically and reflect on the media they consume, you can help them stay safe and healthy! Instead of fearing the internet or relying too heavily on it, there is an avenue for youth to make informed decisions about what media they consume and how they engage with it.