Teens' Experiences with Sexting: A Grounded Theory Study

Re-envisioning Youth Sexual Health Care: Supporting Sex Positivity in a Digital World

INTRODUCTION

Youth in a digital world face challenges to the healthy development of their sexuality from exposure to sexting, pornography, and other sexually explicit media. School-based sexual health education does not cover digital sexual content and its impact on sexuality and sexual relationships. Youth often avoid discussing sexual health with parents or other trusted adults, thus often relying on peers, making them ill-prepared to navigate the complexities (e.g., socially, emotionally, and romantically) of sexually explicit content.

METHOD

A review of emerging evidence for application into clinical practice.

RESULTS

This paper provides nurse practitioners with resources and information to incorporate this re-envisioned approach to sexual health care into practice to provide current, timely, and holistic youth sexual health care.

DISCUSSION

Youth sexual health care must be re-envisioned. Nurse practitioners can improve youth sexual health by incorporating pornography and sexual media literacy, safe sexting, and concepts of consent into care using a sex-positive lens.

Identification and responses by nurses to sexual exploitation of young people

BACKGROUND

Nurses are uniquely positioned to identify and respond to the sexual exploitation of young people. They treat sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies, and mental health issues, often collaborating with social services and law enforcement to safeguard young people.

AIM

This narrative review explores the pivotal role of nurses in identifying and responding to sexual exploitation among young people.

METHODS

Empirical evidence from 1997 to 2021 was examined through a comprehensive search of databases such as CINAHL-EBSCO, ASSIA, PubMed (including Medline), and manual screening of abstracts. The PRISMA guideline was applied. Thematic analysis of 12 selected studies revealed three overarching themes.

FINDINGS

The themes identified were the influence of technology on the sexual exploitation of young people, identification and response to sexual exploitation in both clinical and non-clinical settings, and organisational support.

CONCLUSION

These findings shed light on sexual exploitation and underscore the significance of a person-centred approach to nursing care that addresses the health and social impacts of sexual exploitation. It emphasises the importance of interagency collaboration and appropriate clinical interventions to effectively support young people at risk. Increased professional development, support, and supervision for nurses are relevant to identifying, responding to, and preventing the sexual exploitation of young people.