The Internet as a Source of Sexual Information in a Sample of Spanish Adolescents: Associations with Sexual Behavior

Abstract

Given the widespread availability of sexual information and content on the internet, together with the web’s corresponding appeal (e.g., anonymity, portability, and social networking), it is likely that many adolescents learn about sex online. However, the internet has rarely been considered in studies on teenagers’ sources of sexual information, and the literature has several limitations and gaps. This study aims mainly to examine the amount of sexual information that a sample of Spanish adolescents receives from the internet, along with its usefulness, differences by sex and developmental stage, and associations with sexual behavior. A total of 3809 secondary students aged 12 to 17 completed a written survey anonymously. According to the analyses, 68.4 % of the participants had received sexual information online. Boys and middle adolescents obtained more (and more useful) information. Receiving more sexual information online was associated with masturbation and engaging in non-coital and coital behavior, but not with age or condom use at first intercourse. Since the internet appears to be a promising, useful, and widely accessed source of sexual information among adolescents, professionals are encouraged to incorporate internet-based approaches into their sexual education interventions with this age group.