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Features Love, Sex & the Internet

Online sexual health resources: How to stay safe and sexy

By Abbey Kelly

Many of us love love. Many of us love sex. But what do I love? Safety and learning.

In the age of the internet, it’s easy to find answers to any question quickly. A study from the Sex Information & Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) and Trojan on the sexual health of university students found that 59.4 per cent of men and 71.1 per cent of women use Google as the primary source of sexual health information. But not everything on the internet is reliable.

Luckily, The Eye‘s got you covered. You might be wondering about sexually transmitted infections, going through a hookup dilemma or need to confide in someone you can trust—or maybe you’re not, but you will eventually. Bookmark these for the next time you’re in need of some sexy knowledge.

Go Ask Alice!

This Q&A style website is curated by a team of Columbia University health promotion specialists, health care providers and other health professionals, along with a staff of information and research specialists and writers. Example: “C’mon, tell me about chlamydia.”

MTV’s It’s Your (Sex) Life

From the channel that brought you raunchy content, have some raunchy resources. It’s an interactive website geared at young adults with info on pregnancy, STIs and testing, LBGTQ resources, relationships, consent and hotlines. Example: “Dating, Hooking Up, And Everything In-Between

AVERT

HIV and AIDS sexual health education. Serving to “increase knowledge and understanding of HIV and sexual health, so people can make informed choices and live healthily.”

Public Health Agency of Canada

The basics of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual health facts and other information for the public.

Youthline

A non-profit service offering text, chat and phone calls to provide confidential and non-judgemental peer support to LGBTTQQ2SI individuals. It has its own resources page too!

Sex & U

Sexuality education and information provided by The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. It provides information on STIs, LGBTTQ+ topics, pregnancy, consent, contraception and more. Example: “Sexual Arousal and Orgasms.”

Brazen: Trans Women’s Safer Sex Guide

Brazen was developed by The 519, a community centre for Toronto’s LGBTQ2IA+ community, and CATIE, a source for HIV and hepatitis C information. The guide “covers disclosure, negotiation and consent, sex work, safer sex, transition-related surgeries and provides up-to-date information on advances in HIV prevention and treatment, the realities of online dating and internet culture and access to trans-inclusive health care.” 

Sexplanations

Dr. Lindsay Doe, a doctor of human sexuality does “sexedutainment” videos on YouTube. It aims to give shame-free, comprehensive coverage of everything sex. Example: “Pegging.”

Doe recommends the YouTubers Hannah Witton, Shan Boody, Stevie Boebi, and Ash Hardell for other resources and she recommends the books “Ethical Slut” and “The Two Step: Dance toward intimacy.”

Planned Parenthood Toronto

As an OG for sexual health services and programs, Planned Parenthood does more than its name suggests. It has workshops on sexual health and healthier relationships, mental health, and others including a program called TEACH. Teens Educating And Confronting Homophobia. It is also a popular place to get tested. 

Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime

The site provides a list of links in Canada to help victims of crime, including support groups and internet and social media safety. While it is a resource centre for all types of crime, it includes resources for dating abuse, women’s abuse, victims’ rights and more.

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