Dear Editor, Adolescence represents a critical transition phase from childhood to adulthood which is marked by rapid physical, physiological, and psychological changes where a person experiences drastic hormonal changes that lead to emotional volatility, risk-taking behaviors, and the emergence of psychosexual thoughts. As they adapt to these transformations, they seek information about their emotional fluctuations, physical changes, sexual orientation, gender identity, and relationships.1 Adolescents, particularly girls, face numerous issues and challenges related to their reproductive and sexual health. These include early and unwanted pregnancies, menstrual hygiene challenges, inadequate information regarding sexual rights and health decisions, harmful practices like genital mutilation, gender inequality, limited access to healthcare services (such as contraception and safe abortion), sexual violence, and in general, limited access to information related to sexually transmitted infections.2 It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that all adolescents, both in and out of school, receive accurate and appropriate information on health protection and development. This includes education on substance use, social and sexual behaviors, diet, and physical activity. Quality sex education is internationally recognized as a human right and is integral to adolescent health.3 Discussing sex education within families is often uncomfortable, prompting adolescents to seek information elsewhere. While school-based sex education can be helpful, it often leaves gaps due to embarrassment and privacy concerns. Surveys show that adolescents primarily rely on digital spaces (29%), friends and peers (31%), and school education (25%) for information on body, sex, and relationships.4 Globally, 80% of young people aged between 15 and 24 years use the internet for gathering information on sex education, which is far more than any other age group.5 The increasing engagement of adolescents with digital platforms exposes them to a vast array of information, which can be either beneficial or harmful. Adolescents often use digital sources for self-education, which includes pornography sites and explicit content that promote gender stereotypes, sexism, sexual objectification, and violence. Such unreliable information can negatively influence their sexual behavior. Therefore, it is crucial to educate adolescents about accurate and safe sexual practices. This highlights the need to move beyond informal sexuality education and to have more comprehensive and accessible sex education to better meet their needs. Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is a structured curriculum that covers the various dimensions of sexuality, namely cognitive (mental), emotional, physical, and social. The curriculum equips young people with essential knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values for promoting their health, well-being, and dignity. It empowers them to make informed health decisions for themselves and others. It helps adolescents develop respectful relationships, understand the impact of their choices on their well-being and that of others, and protect their rights throughout their lives.6 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) developed a tool for governments to use, named sexuality education review and assessment tool to assess the curriculum regarding sex education in adolescents. Digitalizing sex education and utilizing digital spaces frequented by youth can prevent misinformation and promote informed sexual behavior. Combining online and offline modes of sex education can address the limitations of offline education, making learning more engaging and enjoyable. The concept of “edutainment,” which refers to materials designed to be both educational and entertaining, can be effectively applied to digital sex education, making learning about sexuality more appealing to adolescents.7 ADDRESSING RISING JUVENILE CRIMES Young minds are easily lured by the unrealistic world that uses explicit content in pornography and movies, making them curious to experiment and copy these behaviors in real-life situations, unaware of the consequences. These actions can lead them to commit crimes at a young age with lifelong repercussions. According to crime reports in India (2022), the rate of total juvenile crimes was around 7%, and there has been an increase in the distribution of sexually explicit material in electronic format, which is mostly accessed by adolescents and juveniles.8 This highlights the urgent need for comprehensive education on digital safety and the consequences of cybercrime, which can be integrated into broader CSE programs. Digitalization of sex education offers numerous benefits, making it an effective approach for reaching adolescents. Key advantages include broad accessibility, affordability, and the ability to provide up-to-date information. Digital platforms allow for private and anonymous learning, reducing embarrassment and encouraging honest inquiry. Educational content is portable, accessible on various devices, and facilitates peer discussions, addressing common questions and concerns. Inclusivity for minority groups, such as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or Questioning individuals, is enhanced through specific and relevant information. Sex education is a powerful tool for empowering adolescents, helping them understand and express their emotions, and positively impacting their mental health. Having sex education appealing and accessible on digital platforms allows adolescents to share common issues and make informed decisions without embarrassment. This fosters confidence and self-esteem, guiding them toward responsible adulthood. Effective digital sexuality education programs for adolescents should be designed including several key components such as the quality of the content must be accurate and age-appropriate, should be user-friendly, has a robust privacy and safe learning environment, easy to access interface, evidence-based, and has a blend with in-person learning experience. These collaborative efforts from all the stakeholder such as educators, health professionals, software developers, and young people themselves can execute the program effectively helping to bridge the gap between informal to formal well-structured and comprehensive learning about their sexual health in a digital age.7 However, increased Internet use has also heightened the risk of digital violence against young people. It is the need of the hour to focus on the need for careful management of digital platforms to protect adolescents from online risks. This will require vigilance and collaboration across various sectors, namely education, health care, and information technology sector. This will ensure adolescents receive accurate, valid, and reliable information to reflect on their sexuality. By identifying adolescents and young people’s specific needs and implementing targeted interventions, we can improve access to effective health care and bring positive health outcomes. NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION INITIATIVES IN INDIA AND EDUTAINMENT ON DIGITAL PLATFORM Talking about reproductive and sexual health issues (TARSHI) is a nongovernmental organization based in New Delhi, India, which offers online platforms for adolescent sex education. They address common bodily changes, anatomical structures, physiological functions of sex organs, and hygiene. TARSHI provides resources such as the Red Book, Blue Book, and Orange Book (for teachers and guides) to educate according to the age. Edutainment on over-the-top platforms: shows such as “Sex Education” and “Big Mouth” on Netflix provide entertaining yet informative content about puberty and sexual health. These shows help normalize the experiences of pubertal growth in boys and girls. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.
Ghosh et al. (Sat,) studied this question.