Watch above: Educator Deb Levine, founder of YTH – youth+ text+ health – discusses with Kevin Stanfield sex education for teens in the digital age.
SASKATOON- The internet is yet another way that youth are learning about sex today, however most of the learning still comes from traditional means such as peers, medical professionals and parents. Talking to your children about sex remains a significance part of their development.
“The talk is ever more important, and the talk is not just one time.” Deb Levine, the founder of Youth+ Tech+ Health, stresses how keeping communication open between parents and children is the most important thing for raising sexually healthy and mature young people.
“What happens now is that communication happens over time. So when they’re three, you’re talking about one thing, and then when their ten you’re talking about another thing, and when they’re 13 you start talking a little bit more about sex and sexual activity. And that’s coupled with what they find online.
“You keep communication open so you can talk about what they find online.”
Levine’s biggest advice for parents is to “stop nagging your kids about their device use. The internet is here to stay, and it’s nothing to be afraid of. ”
“Parents spending their time nagging is just not helpful for parents or for their kids.”
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Levine says that over 70 per cent of teenagers have mobile phones, and over 50 per cent of them now have smart phones. “I really encourage parents to look at sites together.”
“What’s so important is that your kids have some privacy; especially as they become teenagers they need some time to themselves they need some time to break away from their parents. But they also need to know that their parents are there for them when they make a mistake. Because mistakes will happen.”
The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute brought Levine to Saskatoon to speak about understanding teen sexuality in the digital age.
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