Social Media & (Safe) Sex Ed

Since 2020, we have been dealing with Covid surge after Covid surge, virtual classes and meetings, and canceled plans. Not to mention the additional mental and emotional stressors the pandemic created for many of us, such as the loss of family members and isolation from our friends and social circles.

On top of everything, you have likely been going through major emotional, physical, and sexual development transitions. Insecurities regarding puberty and physical changes, questions about pleasure and sexual health, and a strong desire for social connection are all normal occurrences during the adolescent years. The pandemic has made navigating all this and finding support and helpful information even more difficult.

The internet and social media are a bigger part of life than ever, but they don’t always make us wiser and happier. According to data collected before the pandemic, over half of American teens use social media daily and the average teen is online almost nine hours a day, and this doesn’t even include time spent online for homework. With many teens spending more time at home, imagine how these numbers have increased during the pandemic! I’m sure you have heard of risks associated with internet and social media use—such as exposure to false information, harmful content, dangerous people, and cyberbullying—so it’s important to be mindful and selective when being online and exploring social media sites.

Online platforms are not only used to socialize and indulge in music and fashion trends, they have also become popular resources for sexual and reproductive health education. With literally millions of pages and profiles to sort through, it can be overwhelming to figure out what information is factual versus what is fluff.

Web addresses can often tell you if the site is trustworthy. Sites ending in “.edu,” are owned by educational institutions such as universities and colleges; “.org” indicates that the website is owned by a mission-driven organization, such as a nonprofit; and “.gov” lets you know that the website is run by a governmental institution. These types of sites are typically more trustworthy sources of health information than sites ending in “.com” (which indicates a commercial purpose) or “.biz” (which shows that the website is owned by a business, typically to advertise and promote products). Organizational, educational, and governmental platforms usually have medically accurate information that is supported by research studies and health care professionals such as physicians, scientists, nurses, and sex educators.

Here are some of my favorite sites for reliable, youth-centered sexual and reproductive health info:

Websites:

• Center for Young Women’s Health – youngwomenshealth.org
• SafeTeens – safeteens.org
• Bedsider – bedsider.org
• Planned Parenthood – plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens

Social Media

YouTube

• AMAZE Org
• Planned Parenthood
• Hannah Witton
• Nadine Thornhill

When using platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, it’s best to follow accounts that are associated with health care professionals, organizations, and educational institutions. Trustworthy accounts would never DM you and request money, encourage you to purchase products from them, ask you for personal information such as your location or age, or engage in abusive behavior such as harassment. If you run into any of these issues, make sure to unfollow, report, and block that page immediately.

With proper guidance and boundaries, online platforms can be trustworthy and helpful tools to inform and enhance our reproductive, emotional, and mental health. However, it’s important to remember that they can never replace a relationship with a trusted health care provider. If you are experiencing any health needs, symptoms, or safety concerns, reach out to a trusted parent, guardian, counselor, or health care provider for support.

Jamilla Webb, BSN, RN is ​a​ registered ​nurse and writer. She has over 15 years of clinical experience in the fields of public and community health, infectious disease, and labor and delivery. Her writing has been featured in ANTIGRAVITY Magazine, New Orleans Moms Blog, Daughter of the King Magazine, Geaux Girl!, and MamaBlack.org. She is also the founder of HER Health Nurse, a health education service that centers reproductive justice. She loves to travel, read, burn nag champa incense, and listen to indie hip hop and jazz. She is beyond passionate about young women’s health.