Kids in Tyneside need better access to information on healthy relationships

There needs to be improvements to the way that kids in the North East learn about relationships - that's according to new research which says more than half of kids turn to the internet for relationships advice.

58% of 14-17 year-olds would search for information and advice about relationships online - more than double the number would said they'd seek information from a school teacher.

42% say the information that's already out there "isn't good enough".

With current sex education advice nearly two decades old, charities are now calling on the Education Seceretary, Damian Hinds MP, to establish an Innovation Fund to support the establishment of ‘kite-marked’ online information which young people can access, alongside what is taught in the classroom.

Joe Windsladen from Evaluate - who provide sex education to schools in County Durham - said:

"The reality is that the internet is massive and most things can be accessed. It's about equipping them with the information as to why a lot of those things might not be good for their relationships."

Catherine Barker from the Family Stability Network said:

“Young people are telling us that they turn to the internet for answers to the questions on relationships and sex - this can expose them to a myriad of negative images and ideas about what a relationship should look like.

"It simply isn’t realistic to expect that a sprinkling of teaching within an already packed curriculum can counteract this."