Adolescents frequently turn to the Internet for health
information. According to a 2011 study, 89% of adolescents
between 13 and 24 years of age used the internet as their
primary source of sexual health information.1 Another
study found that a similar proportion of adolescents use
the internet, but girls were significantly more likely to
search for health information online.2 The internet provides
a confidential source of information for adolescents,
who value confidentiality in health care. Unfortunately,
there is little oversight of the quality of health information
for adolescents online.3,4 The information might in some
cases be inaccurate or misleading.3,4 Most adolescents in
the United States have either abstinence-only education,
or comprehensive sexual education (CSE) in school.
Abstinence-only education does not include information
about contraception. CSE includes information about
contraceptives and safer-sex practices, in addition to information
on abstinence.5 Research has shown that
abstinence-only education does not lead to fewer pregnancies,
and could in fact contribute to higher pregnancy
rates.5 CSE that discusses safer-sex practices is not only an
important element for pregnancy prevention, but also in
reducing rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Most abstinence or CSE programs are offered in schools,
but some programs are offered through clinics or other
agencies for adolescents.
Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) are nonprofit organizations
that offer alternatives to abortion for women and girls.
They can be religiously affiliated and/or promote themselves
as health clinics. Most provide free pregnancy tests,
limited STI screenings, ultrasound examinations, and options
counseling to women who are facing an unwanted
pregnancy. In addition to in-person counseling, CPC Web
sites frequently provide misinformation on the risks of
abortion, promote abstinence-only education programs,
and offer information on sexual health. Several reproductive
health organizations have evaluated the information
provided by CPCs, and found concerning medical inaccuracies,
such as a link between abortion and breast cancer.6,7
In a recent survey of the Web sites of CPCs listed in state
resource directories for pregnant women, we found that
most of theseWeb sites provided inaccurate and misleading
information regarding abortion.8 We also noted that these
Web sites tended to target adolescents through the use of
photographs, language, and offers of free STI and pregnancy
tests.8 This is of concern because theseWeb sites are linked
to state-affiliated resource directories, and are promoted as
accurate and reliable information sources.