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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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4

Sex Query? Experts Help Teens Via Texting

Health professionals text teens answers to anonymous sex questions

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(Newser) – Teenagers no longer need to reveal their angst over pregnancy or noisy sex in crowded classrooms, the New York Times reports. Public health officials, fretting over the state of sex ed in US schools, are now answering questions via text message. Some use multiple choice menus and automated responses, but one North Carolina program lets kids text in anonymously and receive personalized, non-judgmental answers within 24 hours.

“Technology reduces the shame and embarrassment,” said one nonprofit director. “They don’t learn about this from adults lecturing them.” But those who support the status quo—which in some states mandates abstinence-only education—consider such services dangerous. "Kids can have access to this on their cellphones when they’re away from parental influence, and it can’t be controlled," said one.

A young woman holds her cell phone.
A young woman holds her cell phone.   (AP Photo)
Public health officials in the US are increasingly answering questions about sex through text messaging.
Public health officials in the US are increasingly answering questions about sex through text messaging.   (Shutterstock)
A text message is written.
A text message is written.   (AP Photo)
A young woman sends a text message.
A young woman sends a text message.   (AP Photo)
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4 comments
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freethemall
May 2, 09 4:20 PM CDT
It escapes me how any adult can think it's a good thing to keep a child ignorant about sex. It's what they DON'T know that can hurt them. Reply
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+4
SPH
May 2, 09 5:20 PM CDT
"can’t be controlled"....Were these people never young?....Teach teens the hows and whats of sex and they will do at least as well as every generation before them.... Reply
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+2
justapirate
May 2, 09 6:31 PM CDT
Why are all the pictures shown made up of women only? I'm sure men have just as many answers about sex as women. They too need to learn the importance of birth control, and many other things. Reply
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0
TerrifiedCitizen
May 3, 09 12:20 AM CDT
Why justapirate... I was wondering if you were a gurl... Reply
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-2
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