DAY 1: What is Sex Ed?

The Danger of Misinformation in Sex Education - and How to Fix It

As a sex educator, I’ve seen firsthand the damage misinformation can do. From people terrified that birth control will make them infertile to young adults who learned about sex from porn and now struggle with real intimacy - these are not just abstract concerns. They are real-life consequences of a broken system.

Sex education should be a tool for empowerment, helping people make informed choices about their bodies, relationships, and health. However, thanks to outdated curricula, cultural taboos, and the internet’s ability to spread misinformation faster than facts, many people are left with a dangerously incomplete - or entirely inaccurate - understanding of sex and sexuality. This fosters shame, confusion, and risky behaviors, leaving individuals without the knowledge they need to protect and advocate for themselves.

So as we begin to explore what Sex Ed is, let’s break down where misinformation comes from, why it’s so dangerous, and what we can do about it.

The Problem: How Misinformation Harms Sexual Health

Misinformation in Sex Ed isn’t just an inconvenience - it’s a public health crisis. When people don’t have access to accurate information, the consequences are dire, leading to preventable infections, unintended pregnancies, and even sexual violence.

Every single day, 1 million STIs are acquired worldwide - a staggering figure, considering that many could be prevented with proper sex education and access to contraception. Yet, misinformation continues to thrive, For example, 20% of young people in the US believe that oral sex can’t transmit STIs, leaving them at risk of long-term complications.

Misinformation isn’t just about a lack of knowledge - it actively shapes behavior. Between 2014 and 2022, condom use among sexually active adolescents declined significantly, with the proportion of boys using a condom during their last sexual encounter dropping from 70% to 61%, and girls from 63% to 57%. At the same time, nearly a third of adolescents reported using neither a condom nor the contraceptive pill at their last intercourse, a number that has remained alarmingly high since 2018. These statistics don’t just highlight changing behaviors; they expose the consequences of inadequate sex education and persistent myths that downplay the risks of unprotected sex.

This decline in contraception use has had direct consequences - unplanned pregnancies remain a major issue worldwide, with devastating effects on young people’s health, education, and future opportunities. Myths about contraception - such as the belief that you can’t get pregnant the first time you have sex or that "pulling out" is an effective method - continue to mislead young people. Without education on contraception options, fertility, and reproductive rights, people are left making uninformed choices that can drastically alter their futures.

Many Sex Ed programs continue to promote shame rather than understanding. Research has shown that comprehensive Sex Ed reduces teen pregnancy rates, while abstinence-only programs have little to no effect on delaying sexual activity or increasing contraceptive use. Abstinence-only education, which is still taught in many countries, often stigmatises natural sexual desires and bodily functions, leaving young people feeling confused or embarrassed about their own bodies. In some places, LGBTQ+ topics are actively censored, preventing queer youth from learning about their own sexual health.

The issue isn’t just about STIs and pregnancy - it’s about bodily autonomy, consent, and identity. Misinformation fuels shame, making people hesitant to seek medical care, ask important questions about their health, or advocate for their own boundaries in intimate situations. A lack of comprehensive Sex Ed leaves many ill-prepared to recognize coercion, leading to increased rates of sexual violence and abusive relationships.

This isn’t just a failure of education - it’s a failure of public health policy. The result? A generation left navigating their sexual health through misinformation, half-truths, and harmful stereotypes.

Where Misinformation Comes From?

Misinformation doesn’t appear out of nowhere. It’s often embedded in the systems and sources that are supposed to educate us. Here’s where a lot of the damage starts:

1. Outdated School Curricula

Many schools still rely on abstinence-only education, which has been proven ineffective. Studies show that programs focusing solely on abstinence do not reduce rates of teen pregnancy or STIs - in fact, they tend to increase them by failing to provide students with essential knowledge about contraception and safer sex practices.

Beyond that, even in places where comprehensive Sex Ed exists, the curriculum often ignores pleasure, LGBTQ+ relationships, consent, and reproductive justice, leaving many students without the information they need to navigate their sexual health.

2. The Internet: A Double-Edged Sword

With platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit, young people today have unprecedented access to information about sex - but not all of it is accurate. Social media is full of viral myths, fear-mongering posts, and anecdotal claims that get treated as universal truths.

While some content creators work to provide reliable Sex Ed, misinformation often spreads faster than facts. And because these platforms prioritise engagement over accuracy, misleading or sensationalised content often gets amplified, reinforcing harmful myths.

3. Porn as a Learning Tool

For many, porn serves as an unofficial form of Sex Ed - but it’s entertainment, not education. Porn rarely depicts consent, communication, or realistic sexual dynamics, leading to misunderstandings about everything from pleasure to anatomy. People who learn about sex through porn alone may develop unrealistic expectations about what sex "should" look like, often at the expense of mutual enjoyment and safety.

4. The Weight of Cultural and Religious Taboos

In many communities, discussing sex is still seen as inappropriate, shameful, or even immoral. This silence leads to gaps in knowledge that get filled with myths and half-truths.

When sex is treated as a taboo subject, people are often too embarrassed to ask questions or seek out proper education. Instead, they rely on whatever fragmented information they can find - which, more often than not, is inaccurate.

How We Can Tackle Misinformation

So how do we combat Sex Ed myths and replace them with science-backed, inclusive, and practical knowledge? Here are some essential steps:

1. Demand Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Sex Education

A proper Sex Ed curriculum should cover contraception, STI prevention, pleasure, LGBTQ+ inclusion, consent, and healthy relationships. It should be medically accurate, stigma-free, and designed to meet the needs of all students - not just a select few.

Sex Ed reform starts with advocacy. Support organizations, like Delvvy, that are pushing for better policies and are challenging outdated or incomplete programs whenever possible.

2. Critically Thinking About Information Sources

With so much Sex Ed content available online, it’s essential to know how to separate fact from fiction. Not all sex ed content is created equal. A few key questions to ask:

• Who is the source? Look for information from credible organisations. Always check who is providing the information - is it a medical professional, a certified sex educator, or a trusted health organisation?

• Is it backed by science? Anecdotes and viral trends aren’t the same as scientific evidence.

• Does it use fear-based messaging? If a claim sounds extreme, shocking, or designed to scare, fact-check it before believing or sharing it.

If a source lacks citations or is based only on personal anecdotes rather than science, approach it with skepticism.

3. Learn to Spot Red Flags in Misinformation

Misinformation often follows predictable patterns. Be skeptical of content that uses fear tactics, lacks scientific references, promotes extreme or one-size-fits-all advice, or comes from influencers without medical or educational credentials. If something sounds exaggerated or designed to scare you, it’s probably not the full truth.

4. Engage with Credible Educators

Sex Ed is complex, and no single source has all the answers. To get a balanced, well-rounded perspective, explore certified sex educators for accessible, accurate content, medical professionals who specialise in sexual health, and books, podcasts, and peer-reviewed studies for deeper insights. Following trained professionals rather than random social media personalities can help you avoid misleading advice.

5. Normalise Open Conversations About Sex and Sexual Health

Misinformation thrives in silence. When people don’t feel comfortable talking about sex, they’re more likely to rely on unreliable sources. Creating judgment-free spaces for discussions - whether in schools, at home, or online - helps ensure that people get accurate information and feel empowered to make informed choices.

Parents, educators, and community leaders all have a role to play in fostering sex-positive, shame-free education. Seek guidance from healthcare providers for professional, science-backed answers, trusted educators and Sex Ed advocates, and communities that prioritise accuracy and inclusivity.

6. Make Sexual Health Resources More Accessible

Fighting misinformation means pushing for comprehensive, evidence-based Sex Ed. Support organisations advocating for inclusive Sex Ed, speak up about gaps in school curricula, and start open, shame-free discussions about sexual health in your own circles. Education is power - by advocating for fact-based Sex Ed, you help protect future generations from harmful misinformation.

The Bottom Line

Misinformation in Sex Ed isn’t just a minor annoyance - it’s a public health issue. When people don’t have access to accurate, inclusive, and shame-free information, they are left vulnerable to unintended pregnancies, STIs, and harmful attitudes about sex and relationships.

Over the next 100 Days, let’s commit to challenging misinformation, advocating for comprehensive education, and ensuring that everyone - regardless of age, gender, or background - gets the knowledge they deserve.

When people are properly informed, they’re empowered to make safe, confident, and fulfilling choices about their own bodies and relationships.