Being curious is an important skill in our development as people. It’s entirely natural and there’s no shame attached to the feeling. It is understandable that you might be curious about mature subjects such as sex and sexual behaviour.  

You will have questions, lots of them. Talk to a trusted adult about what is on your mind.  They will be able to help you.  

It may seem as if your friends know more than you do. It’s possible that they do, especially if they have older siblings. It’s also entirely possible that they are pretending to know more than they actually do.  

If you are introduced to pornography, don’t feel bad or compare yourself or your partner to the actors.  

If you come across something that upsets or distresses you, find a trusted adult such as a parent, relative or teacher to talk to. At Childline, we are always here to listen.  

When it comes to curiosity, an open, non-judgmental dialogue is the best way to find answers to questions you have and explore your curiosity safely.   

When you want to know something, where do you go? It’s probably straight to your phone and a Google search. Going online is a brilliant way to research and find information, but it’s important to be alert to potential dangers too. These include: 

• Exposure to inappropriate content: You may see something or read something you are unsure of and which makes you uncomfortable 

• Cyberbullying: This involves people sending hurtful messages or content to others online using smartphones, tablets or other connected devices 

• People not being who they seem: Can you be sure the person you are talking to is who they say they are? 

Tips for staying safe:  

• Keep your account password to yourself and only share it with your parents or guardians 

• Turn privacy settings to ‘private’ 

• If someone you don’t know adds you as a friend, you can delete and block their request 

• Avoid sharing personal info with someone you don’t know offline 

• Think before you share anything you wouldn’t want your parents or granny seeing 

• When sharing pictures, consider if your photos could give strangers clues about where you live or go to school  

There are lots of types of sexuality and it’s okay if you don’t fit into just one. For some people, their sexuality is fluid and can change over time. 

It’s important to remember that nobody can define your sexuality except you. Even when you use the same word as someone else, it might not always mean the same thing, and that’s okay. 

You may also find it helpful to talk to a friend or family member about trying to find out and learn about your sexuality. Know that it is important that you feel safe in doing so. You deserve to be listened to and to have your feelings heard. Your feelings are valid, and you are not alone.  

If you feel that you are not ready yet to talk to someone you know just now, remember that you can always talk to Childline.  

The term ‘bicurious’ refers to those people who don’t see themselves as either heterosexual or gay but may also sometimes be curious about the gender they’re not normally attracted to.  

Learning about your sexual orientation and gender identity is a huge part of every young person’s life. For some it is a relatively straightforward path but for others, it can be a difficult one to navigate. 

It’s perfectly normal to be attracted to girls, boys, both or neither. If you want to talk about it, Childline is always here to listen.