Teenagers And Sexual Health: What They Need To Know

As teenage pregnancies are on the rise worldwide, Switzerland responds with mini condoms for younger boys.

Whatever a family’s position on when a young person should become sexually active, one thing needs separating out: a teenager who doesn’t know the facts isn’t safer, only less protected.

Knowing about contraception doesn’t make young people start earlier. The evidence on comprehensive sexual health education is consistent: it’s associated with later first sex and higher rates of protection, not the reverse.

The belief that information causes behaviour is the main reason these conversations don’t happen, and it isn’t supported.

What parents should know legally

The age of consent in Singapore is 16. Sexual activity with someone under 16 is an offence regardless of apparent agreement, and that applies between teenagers too.
Sexual images of anyone under 18 are illegal to produce, possess or share, including images a young person takes of themselves. A teenager sending a photo to a partner, and the partner who keeps it, may both be committing offences. Almost no teenager knows this, and it’s one of the more important things to tell them.
Contraception is available from doctors and pharmacies, and emergency contraception requires a consultation.

The facts they need to have

Condoms are the only method that reduces both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection. Everything else covers one and not the other, and that’s the single most important fact on this list.
Emergency contraception works better the sooner it’s taken, and effectiveness falls over the following days. Knowing it exists and that it needs to be sought quickly counts for more than the detail.
Many sexually transmitted infections have no symptoms. “They look fine” isn’t information, and untreated chlamydia in particular can affect future fertility.
Withdrawal isn’t a method.
Consent can be withdrawn at any point, can’t be given by someone drunk or asleep, and pressure isn’t consent. This belongs alongside the biology, not after it.
HPV vaccination is offered to girls through the school-based programme and protects against the virus causing most cervical cancers. It works best before any exposure, so it’s given at that age. It’s also available privately, including for boys.

Where a young person can go

A GP or polyclinic, for contraception, testing and advice
The DSC Clinic, Singapore’s specialist sexual health service, for testing and treatment
A&E, after a sexual assault, and ideally without washing or changing first, though care is available either way
The National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline: 1800-777-0000

Tell them these exist. A young person who doesn’t know where to go, or who believes they can’t go anywhere without you finding out, is the one who ends up not going at all.

Having the conversation

Before it’s relevant. A conversation at fourteen is information; the same conversation at seventeen is an accusation.
Separate your values from the facts. You’re entitled to say clearly what you hope they’ll do. Give them the information as well. The two aren’t in conflict, and withholding the second doesn’t enforce the first.
Sideways, not across a table. In the car, walking. Prompted by something on television, not announced.
Don’t react to the opening line. They’re testing the reception before deciding whether to say the rest.
Include boys fully: contraception, consent and responsibility aren’t a girls’ topic, and framing them that way is how young men arrive at adulthood assuming it’s someone else’s job.
Say the standing thing: “You’ll never be in trouble for telling me something. If you’re ever in a situation you can’t get out of, call me at any hour and I’ll come.” That sentence does more than the rest of the conversation combined.

The part that has changed

Two things this generation faces that their parents didn’t: pornography as the default source of information, and image sharing.

Address both directly. Pornography is performance, not documentary: bodies, behaviour and the absence of any conversation are all unrepresentative. And the legal position on images, which is the practical risk almost nobody has told them about.

Frequently asked questions

Does teaching teenagers about contraception make them start earlier?

No. The evidence on comprehensive sexual health education is consistent: it’s associated with later first sex and higher rates of protection. The belief that information causes behaviour is the main reason these conversations don’t happen.

What’s the age of consent in Singapore?

16. Sexual activity with someone under 16 is an offence regardless of apparent agreement, and that applies between teenagers as well.

What do teenagers most need to know about images?

That sexual images of anyone under 18 are illegal to produce, possess or share, including images they take of themselves. A teenager sending a photo to a partner and the partner who keeps it may both be committing offences, and almost none of them know it.

What’s the single most useful fact?

That condoms are the only method reducing both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection. Everything else covers one and not the other.

Where can a young person get help confidentially?

A GP or polyclinic for contraception, testing and advice, and the DSC Clinic for specialist sexual health services. After a sexual assault, A&E, and the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline on 1800-777-0000. Tell them these exist. A young person who doesn’t know where to go is the one who doesn’t go.

How do I have this conversation without endorsing it?

Say clearly what you hope they’ll do, and give them the information as well. The two aren’t in conflict, and withholding the facts doesn’t enforce the value. Have it early, sideways instead of across a table, and include boys fully.

What to remember

Information doesn’t cause behaviour. It’s associated with later first sex and better protection.

Age of consent is 16, and sexual images of under-18s are illegal even when self-taken. Tell them that one specifically.

Condoms are the only method covering both risks. Many infections have no symptoms.

And give them the sentence: call me at any hour, and you won’t be in trouble.