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Sexy movies, television and other media have little effect on teens' sexual behaviour, according to a study that challenges a common belief among parents and policymakers.
Only a weak link
Researchers analysed 22 studies of the influence of media on teens' behaviour, including when they start having sex and whether they engage in risky sex. The studies, which also examined teen pregnancy, included more than 22,000 participants younger than 18.
The researchers found only a weak link between media and teen sexual behaviour.
"Evidence for an association between media and sexual behaviour is minimal," said study co-author Christopher Ferguson, co-chair of psychology at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.
Read: Parental guidance makes teens more cautious about sex
Parents and peers have a much greater influence on teens' sexual behaviour, he said.
The findings were published recently in the journal Psychiatric Quarterly.
But media may influence at-risk children who lack other sources of information about sexuality, according to Ferguson.
Encouraging message
"That is to say, when information from parents or schools are lacking, media may become the only source of information on sexuality," he said in a journal news release.
Read: Teenagers and sex - how to say no if you want to
Blaming the media might distract parents and policymakers from more significant issues related to teen sexuality, the researchers said. Parents should be encouraged to discuss sexuality with their teens; schools must offer appropriate sex education programmes; and the use of peer networks to promote safe sex must be explored, Ferguson said.
"The encouraging message from our results is that the media is unlikely to thwart parental efforts to socialise children should parents take the initiative to talk directly to their children about sex," he concluded.
Read more:
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