There’s been a lot of talk about Bristol Palin, the pregnant, 17-year-old daughter of Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Parents play an important role in teaching their children about sex. What did Bristol Palin learn about sex from her mother?

First, you have to know a little bit about where Sarah Palin stands on the issues. She is anti-choice, even in cases of rape or incest. She’s also anti-comprehensive sex ed and wants abstinence-only-until-marriage programs in schools, which means information about condoms and birth control wouldn’t be taught.

Did Sarah talk to Bristol about using condoms to protect herself from pregnancy and STDs? Or did she only push for abstinence and leave her daughter without important info about condoms that could have prevented a pregnancy?

There’s no way of knowing what Sarah and Bristol talked about, or if they talked about sex at all! Teens need and deserve honest and accurate information about sex—not only from comprehensive sex ed classes and resources like Sexetc.org, but from parents as well. Parents really do matter when it comes to learning about sex, so make sure you talk to them!

Ringtones are a popular and important way for teens to express themselves. Imagine if you could have a ringtone that made a powerful statement about improving sexual health.

Introducing the condom ringtone! It’s part of a campaign to promote safer sex and stop the spread of HIV in India.

Visit Condomcondom.org for more info and to download the ringtone!

This isn’t the first time that a fun and friendly safer sex message has been used in India. Check out this traditional Indian dance video about using condoms:

What do the Olympics and safer sex have in common? Lots and lots of condoms.

Since 1992, condoms have been available at the Olympics to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. For the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 100,000 condoms were provided for all 10,500 athletes. That might seem like a lot. But a supply of 70,000 condoms during the 2000 Sydney Olympics ran out, and an extra 20,000 had to be ordered.

Making condoms available at the Olympics, means athletes can reduce the risk of an unplanned pregnancy or an STD. Abstinence is the only way to completely avoid pregnancy and STDs. But if you’re going to have sex—whether you’re an Olympian or not—you need to have safer sex.

Check out the Olympic spirit in these condom ads from China:

Lots of people think that once you have vaginal, oral or anal sex, you’re no longer a virgin. But some believe you can be a “born-again” virgin, either through a pledge of abstinence or even surgery.

If you lose your v-card, is it gone forever? Or can you have a sexual do-over and be a “born-again” virgin? There isn’t a simple answer to this question, especially since virginity means different things to different people.

We asked our users what they thought about reclaiming virginity:

“You’re only physically a virgin once. Maybe you can have a virgin heart again, but you’re PHYSICALLY a virgin once.”
—xjacknsallyx48, 16, IL

“Well, I certainly think you can have secondary virginity, when you pledge to be abstinent. I think the whole thing starts with your personal beliefs, like what you think would make this kind of thing official. I think if I would lose my virginity and want to have secondary virginity, then I would take the pledge with a friend or a group of friends so that they can hold me true to my word.”
—musicchickie, 14, MD

Whether you think virginity is lost forever or can be renewed, the important thing is this: Your first time should be a good time, without regrets. You know you’re totally prepared—mind, body and spirit—to have sex for the first time when you don’t have to doubt your decision. Then the reclaiming virginity debate doesn’t matter at all.

Just remember that the surest way to avoid STDs and pregnancy is to abstain from sex. Think you’re ready to lose your v-card? Read this FAQ before you take the plunge.

If you’ve ever received any kind of unwanted text message that’s threatening or humiliating, then you’ve been the victim of textual harassment. More and more teens are reporting that they’ve been the victims of this form of cyberbullying.

Texts can be pretty anonymous, and bullies are hiding behind texts to harass their victims. Don’t let cyberbullies get the best of you! Here are some tips to follow if you become the victim of textual harassment:

• Don’t reply! Sure, you might be mad and want to text back. But replying lets the bully know that he or she got under your skin. If a bully can’t get a response from you, chances are they’ll give up.
• Save the text. If you decide to make a report to the police, you’ll need evidence.
• Tell a trusted adult about the text, and let him or her know if the texts keep coming.
• Talk to your principal, if you think the texts are coming from a classmate. Most schools have a policy on bullying.
• Report it to the police, if you’re threatened with harm. Bring your phone with the saved texts and an itemized phone bill for evidence.

Textual harassment isn’t the only form of cyberbullying. Check out this story about a cruel MySpace hoax that ended tragically.