Web: Teen source for sex ed

The beauty of the Web for teens is that it helps them avoid asking embarrassing questions. Its anonymity eliminates "the awkwardness factor," when they have questions about things like emergency contraception or sexually transmitted diseases, reports TheLedger.com (in Lakeland, Fla.). "Research has shown the Internet is rapidly becoming a primary source of information about sex and personal health for teens," according to The Ledger, which adds that health officials are concerned about the credibility of the Web sources they're turning to and the teens' own critical judgment about them. Here are some state the article cites from various studies:

-76% of 15-to-17-year-olds online had looked up information on diet, health and fitness in 2002; 33% of those teens had researched HIV and AIDS, 25% sexually transmitted diseases, and 20% pregnancy or birth control (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2002).
- Half of 10th-graders had used the Internet to get health information - most frequently sexually transmitted diseases, followed by diet, fitness and exercise, then sexual behaviors (Mount Sinai Hospital Adolescent Health Center, NY, 2001).
- About 66% of US teens 12-17 use the Internet - Pew Internet & American Life project (no date given).