The 100-Year Life Health Education and Government
New UK government guidance says sex education should not be taught until children are nine years old. The draft guidance, published yesterday, also says there can be no explicit discussion of sexual violence including rape and sexual assault – nor teaching about contraception, sexually transmitted infections or abortion – until students are 13. The dangers of inappropriate online content, including pornography and sexual harassment, can be taught from age 11, but teachers must not discuss details of sexual acts. The government said it went through “a thorough process” of engaging “colleagues from across government, stakeholders, parents, young people and teachers” in producing the review. However, the guidance has already been criticised by teachers’ unions, education professionals and sexual health campaigners, who say they weren’t consulted.