Facts of Life: Sex Education Web Sites
Web-based sex education sites for children and teens
By Gail Junion-Metz -- School Library Journal, 3/1/2007
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Also in this article: Growing Up  iwannaknow Sexual Health Talk About Sex Teenwire |
Growing Up
www.kidshealth.org/kid/grow/index.html
Designed for middle school kids, this site provides brief articles on the changes that come with puberty. Sections on “Boy Stuff’ and “Girl Stuff” cover typical questions, such as “What is an Adam’s apple?” or “Why do I have cramps?” while “Body stuff” contains information on acne, shaving, and body odor. Created by: The Nemours Center for Children’s Health Media, Wilmington, DE. Detour: Another great puberty site is Body Smartz at www.bam.gov/sub_yourbody/yourbody_bodysmartz.html.
iwannaknow
This site for older teens describes sexually transmitted disease. “Sex on the Brain,” a subsection, concerns issues such as “sex vs. love,” peer pressure, and gay teens. A unique aspect of this site is “Ask the Expert,” where teens can e-mail a question to a trained specialist, who will supply an answer and, if needed, follow-up information. Created by: The American Social Health Association, Research Triangle Park, NC. Don’t Miss: The extensive, well-written glossary of sex-related terms.
Sexual Health
www.kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health
Sexual Health offers comprehensive articles, many in English and Spanish. A “For Girls” section describes often overlooked topics such as breast and pelvic examinations, breast size, and feminine hygiene, while the “Guys” section includes information on testicular exams and injuries. Created by: The Nemours Center for Children’s Health Media, Wilmington, DE. Don’t Miss: The “Birth Control” section.
Talk About Sex
65.36.238.42/pubs/TalkAboutSex.pdf
This printable 83-page mini-book may be just the thing to prompt discussion between parents and teenagers. Subjects include sexual rights, sexual abuse, date rape, and sexual harassment, as well as anatomy, birth control, and HIV/STD basics. Created by: The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, New York, NY. Detour: For more information on abstinence, contraception, and STDs, check out the “Teen Talk” pamphlets (available in both English and Spanish) at opa.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/publications.html.
Teenwire
Older teens will find answers to a wide range of sexual questions on this site. Parents may want to preview the site contents in order to decide which topics are appropriate for their children. Created by: Planned Parenthood Federation of America, New York, NY. Don’t Miss: Even the most worldly teens will learn something in the “Do” section. Here they’ll find Flash-based learning games, as well as animations, and online quizzes.
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