Body Language

by Gail Junion-Metz -- School Library Journal, 4/1/1999

Most teens, of course, feel awkward about asking parents, teachers, or librarians for information about sex. So take advantage of kids'cyber savvy and point them in the right direction on the Web, where they can get information independently and anonymously. Some sites provide limited sex information, while others cover every topic imaginable. It's important that you evaluate each site to find those that will best serve your community. (In my October column, I'll focus exclusively on teen health issues, such as AIDS and other STDs.)

Health, Sex, and Your Body
The Multnomah County (OR) Public Library created "Health, Sex & Your Body". The site offers sections on relationships and teen pregnancy, where you'll find honest and appropriate information for 13- to 15-year olds who are not yet sexually active.

Dr. Paula Elbirt, a pediatrician at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, created You and Your Body. Her site provides basic body facts along with sex, birth control, and pregnancy information. The site does not recommend or condemn abortion or specific birth control methods, but offers complete, unbiased medical information for older teens. Planned Parenthood's Test Your Sex IQ offers an interactive quiz for teens aged 13 to 16. Although Planned Parenthood is clear about its political positions on birth control and abortion, the site does a good job of providing factual, not political, answers.

By Teens for Teens
The newly revamped Sex Etc. A Website by Teens for Teens premiered on Valentine's Day of this year. It is coordinated by the Network for Family Life Education, part of the School of Social Work at Rutgers University (NJ), and is written by older teens who have first-hand experience with pregnancy panic, homophobia, and other issues. Check out the "Info for Adult" section for discussion guides.

Go Ask Alice! is an e-mail-based Q&A site created by Columbia University's (NY) Health Education Program. Three sections, "Relationships," "Sexuality," and "Sexual Health," cover just about every sexual topic, from gay, lesbian, and "bi" sex, to masturbation and fetishes. "Alice" tells it like it is, which means that some of the material may cross the comfort line for certain teens and parents. The site is most appropriate for older teens, college students, and health teachers.

Teens and community volunteers in Chicago created the Coalition for Positive Sexuality, a site designed to provide real-life sex education. This is by far the most streetwise site. Some of the topics -- such as how to clean drug needles to prevent HIV transmission -- may be shocking, but are sadly necessary. Detailed information about various birth control methods and how to get an abortion is provided.

Proctor & Gamble, maker of Always feminine products, created Always Growing for pubescent and teen girls. The site provides an introduction to reproductive anatomy and puberty and links for parents getting ready to have "the talk" with their daughter.

Just Say "No"
Advice for handling peer pressure can be found at Not Me, Not Now What Smart Kids Say to Sex. Created by the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program of Monroe County, NY, this site's message is that abstinence makes sense. At the "Teen Interactive" section, students in grades four to eight can take real-time interactive quizzes that ask questions about sex, peer pressure, and pregnancy and offer immediate responses. Don't miss the "Talking About Sex" section, which is a great resource for parents.

Web Addresses
For previous "Surf For"links, visit SLJ Online at www.slj.com/links.html

Multnomah County Library Outernet's "Health, Sex & Your Body"
www.multnomah.lib.or.us/lib/outer/healthsex.html

You and Your Body
www.drpaula.com/topics/youyourbody.html

Test Your Sex IQ
www.plannedparenthood.org/QUIZ/startgame.htm

Sex Etc. A Website by Teens for Teens
www.sxetc.org/

Go Ask Alice!
www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/index.html

Coalition for Positive Sexuality
www.positive.org/Home/index.html

Always Growing
www.always.com/growing/index.html

Not Me, Not Now. What Smart Kids Say to Sex
www.notmenotnow.org