Teens who watch sexual health content with an adult are twice as likely to recall accurate efficacy rates (e.g., that condoms are >95% effective).
Online pornography and certain social media trends are linked to more negative condom attitudes and riskier behaviors. Influence of New Media on Adolescent Sexual Health
A 2025 meta-analysis indicates that while media can increase safer sex knowledge , knowledge alone does not always translate to usage.
Studies on the 2002 Friends episode where Rachel gets pregnant despite condom use showed that 65% of teen viewers recalled the message about condom failure.
Media can be a "healthy sex-educator" and a useful tool for programs and interventions designed to reduce sexual risk among youth. Sexual Media and Childhood Well-being and Health
Media portrayals of condom use play a critical role in shaping teen sexual health attitudes, often acting as "secondary sex educators". While many traditional media depictions fail to mention protection, strategic "edu-tainment" can significantly boost knowledge and communication. Key Media Impact Trends