One in five teenagers say the web is their main source of information on relationships and sexual health, a new survey has found.
The poll of 1,000 pupils also found 30 per cent use social media as their main source of information about gender identity and sexual orientation.
The Sex Education Forum, which carried out the research, said youngsters are turning to ‘dangerous’ and ‘untrustworthy’ sources because of a lack of information at school.
It said many teachers are too scared to tackle these controversial issues in the classroom because they are ‘taboo and politicised’.
The survey of 16 and 17-year-olds found that 22 per cent of young people said the internet was their main source of information on pornography (stock picture)
Nearly half of students said they learned nothing at all or not enough at school about porn or power imbalances in relationships (stock image)
The survey of 16 and 17-year-olds found that 22 per cent of young people said the internet was their main source of information on pornography.
Meanwhile, 15 per cent said they turned to pornography itself as their main source of information on the topic.
In addition, nearly half of students said they learned nothing at all or not enough at school about porn or power imbalances in relationships.
The charity’s report on relationships and sex education (RSE) said: ‘It is clear that schools feel under-confident about delivering on some areas of the curriculum that are statutory, but are particularly taboo and politicised.
‘The problem is that these gaps leave young people vulnerable to misinformation as they seek out knowledge from online sources like social media, or have no access to advice at all.’
It comes after the Government announced a review of its RSE guidance for schools more than a year ago.
Since September 2020, relationships and sex education has been compulsory in secondary schools, while relationships education has been compulsory in primary schools.
Lucy Emmerson, chief executive of the Sex Education Forum, said: ‘Hearing that young people seek questionable or even dangerous information on outlets like social media to fill gaps on key topics should be a wake-up call that better provision is needed from schools for the safety of our pupils.’
A government spokesman said: ‘We are looking at where certain topics can be strengthened, in an age-appropriate and factual way.
‘We want to ensure all children are safe online and so, through our world-leading Online Safety Act, social media firms are being required to protect children from being exposed to harmful material online, and the Education Secretary recently took robust action by prohibiting the use of mobile phones in schools.’