Health and Sexuality links in the ipl’s For Teens section
| Topic(s) | Typical Question | Who’s answering? | Website | Website Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fitness, nutrition, alcohol, drugs, sex, relationships, general health | What medications help with acne? | doctors and health professionals | Go Ask Alice! |
From the site’s "About Go Ask Alice!" page: "Go Ask Alice! is a health Q&A Internet service. It works to provide readers with reliable, accessible information and a range of thoughtful perspectives so that they can make responsible decisions concerning their health and well-being." |
| varies by hotline; topics include alcoholism, STDs, glbtq issues, domestic violence, eating disorders |
I cry for no reason, have no energy, and a teacher said I had depression and anxiety. What does that mean? | Pediatricians (doctors) | Teen Growth | From the "About Teengrowth" page: "TeenGrowth offers a secure environment to search for, request and receive valuable health care information on topics such as alcohol, drugs, emotions, health, family, friends, school, sex and sports." The site’s "Medical Advisory Board, comprising well-known and respected physicians in the pediatric community, oversees all content on the site, thereby guaranteeing its medical accuracy." |
| choosing a piercer, a piercing, or jewelry; taking care of your new piercing | Why does the APP oppose "stud guns" used for ear piercing? | professional piercers | Association of Professional Piercers | From the site: "The APP is an international non-profit association dedicated to the dissemination of vital health and safety information related to body piercing to piercers, health care providers and the general public. This site contains a wealth of factual information about body piercing. " |
| mental health, sex, sleep, food, fitness, diseases, school, jobs, safety | Should I go on a diet? | doctors review all the information | TeensHealth |
Provides doctor-approved information and advice to questions teens have. Examples are: tattoos, the right weight for your height, is your penis nornal, menstruation, why do you get acne, and cutting. |
| homelessness, running away, shelters, abuse, family, sex, rape, suicide, jobs | What should you do if your family is abusive and you want to run away? | crisis counselors who speak English and Spanish | Nineline from Covenant House |
A free hotline (1-800-999-9999) and website giving advice to teens. Covenant House is "the largest privately-funded childcare agency in the United States providing shelter and service to homeless and runaway youth." |
| homework, ESL, GED, learning disabilities, sports, community, friends, family, college | Should I drop out of school? | The NDPC/N gives links to “Reasons to stay in school” and how to “Help someone else stay in school”. You can also e-mail them at ndpc@clemson.edu. | National Dropout Prevention Center – Family/Student Resources |
The NDPC/N’s mission "is to serve as a research center and resource network for practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to reshape school and community environments to meet the needs of youth in at-risk situations so these students receive the quality education and services necessary to succeed academically and graduate from high school." |
| homework, ESL, GED, learning disabilities, sports, community, friends, family, college | How can I finish high school or get my GED? | Find out how to get a high school diploma or high school equivalency if you left school, as well as other helpful links like on how to study for the GED. | About.com on Finishing High School |
"Information on high school leavers and how to get a high school diploma or high school equivalency such as the GED." |
| sex and sexuality, STDs, pregnancy, abortion, relationships, parenting | If you miss your period, does that mean you’re pregnant? | Planned Parenthood staff or gynecologist/obstetricians | Planned Parenthood |
Provides a wealth of information for young adults. In particular, check out the section on Sex and Health Advice for Teens, Ask Dr. Cullins (a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist), and Ask Planned Parenthood, the site’s tri-weekly column. |
| family, friends, sex and dating, feelings, bullying, drugs, school, health, violence | Should you tell your parents if you start smoking? | trained volunteer counselors | Get Counselling | Website from our neighbors to the north where you can post questions anonymously and get answers from trained counsellors. Kids Help Phone is a hotline for Canadians only, but you can post questions to it and browse/search through previously asked questions. |
| sex, STDs, virginity, abstinence, dating | How do I know when I’m ready to have sex? | young people who remain abstinent themselves or pro-abstinence NBA star A.C. Green | ClubAC.com | Questions answered by young people who remain abstinent themselves or pro-abstinence NBA star A.C. Green. |