Talking to Young People
What’s Age-Appropriate? | Role of Health Professionals
Parents and caregivers want the best for their children: a life filled with happiness, success, and well-being. They play a vital role in their children’s health, influencing their development and habits that help them grow into independent adults. One aspect of health that is sometimes overlooked or not talked about enough is human sexuality and sexual health development.
Sexual health development is a lifelong process that begins in childhood and continues through adolescence and adulthood. It involves building healthy relationships, learning about sexuality, and practicing self-affirming and safe sexual behaviors. It is important to recognize that sexual health is not only about anatomy and the physiology of sex and reproduction, but it also encompasses behavioral, emotional, mental, and social factors related to sexuality, including body image, self-esteem, family dynamics, media influence and peer pressure, sexual victimization, and much more.
Q: How can this RIght to Know web app be useful to adolescents and teens?
The RIght to Know web app was developed to provide young people in Rhode Island with honest, accurate, and reliable sexual and reproductive health information, in a private and judgment-free way. Information is explained clearly, with a mix of text and visuals to organize content and enhance engagement and understanding.
Parents and caregivers can use it as a personal resource, share it with their young people, or look at it together as a conversation starter.Topics include:
Q: Why is educating young people about their sexual health so important?
Teaching young people about all the factors of sexual health helps ensure that they grow up to be healthy and informed individuals. They will know where and how to access reliable and equitable health services, have a safe and positive view of sexuality, and have the tools to build healthy relationships and make informed, safe, and positive choices about their sexuality and sexual health.
One crucial goal in educating young people about sexual health is prevention of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea and HIV, among others. Young people need to know that the best way to prevent pregnancy and STIs is not having sex (abstinence).
The RI Department of Health has put together these informational fact sheets – one on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and one on HIV – to help understand the basics.
Q: How can young people protect themselves against STIs and where can they get help in Rhode Island?
If they do decide to have sex, condoms that are USED CORRECTLY are the only widely available, proven method for reducing transmission of HIV and other STIs. Your child’s doctor can help with questions and discussion about this topic. There are also many healthcare providers in Rhode Island that will help, whether a patient has health insurance or not, and can offer low-cost or free services for those that qualify. In Rhode Island, minors (under 18) can be tested for STIs without parental permission.
The RI Department of Health will mail free condoms to anyone with a Rhode Island address because of its commitment to reducing the rates of unwanted pregnancy and STIs for Rhode Islanders.
Q: Are there vaccinations for STIs?
While there are no vaccinations for most sexually transmitted infections, there is a vaccination for human papilloma virus (HPV) that is strongly recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for all children beginning at 9-12 years old, before becoming sexually active.
HPV is the most common viral sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. Roughly 14 million people get the infection each year. HPV is so common that most sexually active people who aren’t vaccinated against HPV will become infected at some point in their lives. Most have no symptoms and never know they have it.
There are more than 30 strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that affect genitals. These include harmless forms of HPV, like those that cause genital warts. Some types of HPV are “high risk” because they can progress to cancer later in life if left untreated. (Cleveland Clinic)
The HPV vaccination has proven to be extremely safe and effective. Since the vaccine’s introduction in 2006, it has been closely monitored with studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, and other organizations. Data have consistently shown that the vaccine provides safe, effective and long-lasting protection against HPV.
Q: Do Rhode Island schools teach students about sexual health?
Human Sexuality is a required topic in the Rhode Island Curriculum Framework for Health Education K-12, and according to the Journal of Adolescent Health, components of comprehensive sexuality education have been shown to:
Studies show that a majority of parents in the US support comprehensive sex education in schools, including topics like puberty, healthy relationships, and contraception (National Institutes of Health).
Unfortunately, many students aren’t getting comprehensive sex education in school and are left with crucial knowledge gaps and unanswered questions.
Q: Should I be talking to my kids about their sexual health?
Yes. Think back to how you learned about sexual health when you were a teen. There is a lot of information out there on various forms of media and some of it may be wildly inaccurate. Teens need to get the facts from a reliable source.
A parent or caregiver plays a very important role by having open, honest conversations with children and teens about sexual health topics, in an ongoing and age-appropriate way. Other trusted adults like healthcare professionals, other family members, counselors, and religious leaders in their communities can support parents/caregivers. Learn More
Q: What is considered age-appropriate?
Age appropriateness refers to what is suitable to the developmental and social maturity of a particular age or age group of children or adolescents. It is based on developing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capacity typical for the age or age group.
However, while certain characteristics are common to children at each age level, age is not a perfect predictor of maturity or situational factors, so tailor an approach to each child’s/teen’s individual needs, personalities and abilities. Learn More
Q: Who can I talk to about my child’s sexual health?
Adolescents should continue to have “well visits” with a doctor or other healthcare professional, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that these visits begin to have one-on-one time as early as age 11, with a clearly communicated policy around confidentiality.
It is essential that adolescent patients have a trusting and respectful relationship with healthcare professionals who can discuss sensitive topics with them. Learn More
What to Know about STIs is a fact sheet provided by the RI Department of Health to help you understand the basics of STIs..
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What to Know About HIV is a fact sheet provided by the RI Department of Health to help you understand the basics of HIV.
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