Final published version
Licence: CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Sex education on the newsfeed
T2 - exploring young people’s incidental exposure to information about sex and relationships
AU - Lim, Gene
AU - Waling, Andrea
AU - James, Alexandra
AU - Power, Jennifer
PY - 2025/6/1
Y1 - 2025/6/1
N2 - With the increased use of data-driven algorithmic curation of social media content and online advertising, young people are increasingly likely to come across content related to sex, sexuality and relationships that they have not searched for (i.e. non-intentional or incidental exposure). This study sought to explore incidental exposure to content about sex, sexuality and relationships among young people in Australia and considers both the applications and implications for sex education. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with young people (N = 22) aged between 18–25 years, and findings analysed by thematic analysis. Incidental exposure was often a consequence of either routine social media use, or intentional instances of information seeking. Participants were largely receptive to information about sex education encountered through incidental exposure. Incidental exposure appeared to be helpful for: (i) highlighting gaps in participants’ knowledge; (i) revisiting and updating knowledge about sex and relationships; (iii) providing opportunities to reflect on these topics; and (iv) understanding these topics from the viewpoint of individuals of other genders and sexualities. Incidental exposure was a prominent dimension of young peoples’ engagement with online content that should be leveraged and planned around in future digital health and educational interventions.
AB - With the increased use of data-driven algorithmic curation of social media content and online advertising, young people are increasingly likely to come across content related to sex, sexuality and relationships that they have not searched for (i.e. non-intentional or incidental exposure). This study sought to explore incidental exposure to content about sex, sexuality and relationships among young people in Australia and considers both the applications and implications for sex education. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with young people (N = 22) aged between 18–25 years, and findings analysed by thematic analysis. Incidental exposure was often a consequence of either routine social media use, or intentional instances of information seeking. Participants were largely receptive to information about sex education encountered through incidental exposure. Incidental exposure appeared to be helpful for: (i) highlighting gaps in participants’ knowledge; (i) revisiting and updating knowledge about sex and relationships; (iii) providing opportunities to reflect on these topics; and (iv) understanding these topics from the viewpoint of individuals of other genders and sexualities. Incidental exposure was a prominent dimension of young peoples’ engagement with online content that should be leveraged and planned around in future digital health and educational interventions.
KW - Australia
KW - Relationship and sexuality education
KW - incidental exposure
KW - sex education
KW - young people
U2 - 10.1080/14681811.2024.2359989
DO - 10.1080/14681811.2024.2359989
M3 - Journal article
VL - 25
SP - 513
EP - 528
JO - Sex Education
JF - Sex Education
SN - 1468-1811
IS - 4
ER -