Wellbeing

Sex and relationship education (or “sexuality education”) is essential to helping young people become happy and healthy adults. As they grow up, they have to deal with changes in their bodies, while trying to connect with their peers and making sense of conflicting messages from the world about relationship “shoulds” and “should nots”.

This study explores how technology has affected young people’s dating norms, and more generally, their attitudes towards sex and relationship. It is suggested that sexuality education programmes should be reviewed and updated to take into account practices such as online dating and sexting, and be more expansive to address issues like gender roles, stereotypes, and sexual orientation.