Experts Warn School Pupils Misled by AI About Sexual Health

URGENT UPDATE: Experts are sounding the alarm as school pupils increasingly fall victim to dangerous sexual health myths fueled by social media and artificial intelligence (AI). A recent report reveals that nearly two-thirds of students surveyed believe using contraception leads to infertility, raising serious concerns among health professionals.

Dr. Fergal Malone, a leading obstetrician and head of the obstetrics and gynecology department at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), warns that young people are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT and Meta AI for critical health information. “If you’re relying on these systems, you’re assuming the background information is accurate,” he stated during the unveiling of the findings from the Debunking the Myths education program, which has reached over 17,700 students across 166 schools in the last three years.

The alarming statistics don’t stop there. An average of 48% of the students involved in the program think there are safe times during the menstrual cycle when pregnancy cannot occur. “There is no safe time,” Dr. Malone emphasized, explaining the complexities of ovulation and sperm longevity.

Additionally, misconceptions about the menstrual cycle persist, with 58% of students believing a normal cycle lasts exactly 28 days. Another 39% wrongly think that taking the contraceptive pill without a break is unsafe.

The misinformation extends beyond contraception. Dr. Malone noted that students frequently pose questions reflecting a lack of understanding about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as whether they can be contracted from toilet seats or shared towels. “These questions often stem from scaremongering on platforms like TikTok,” he explained, highlighting the influence of unqualified social media influencers.

The RCSI’s initiative aims to clarify these misunderstandings, offering students direct access to medical professionals for accurate information. Earlier this month, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, announced reforms aimed at enhancing the reliability of its data. In a demonstration, ChatGPT confirmed that the contraceptive pill does not cause infertility, while also stating that catching an STI from a dirty toilet is “very unlikely.”

As misinformation continues to spread, the need for reliable sexual health education becomes more critical than ever. Dr. Malone’s findings underscore a growing crisis that could have long-term implications for young people’s health.

As this situation develops, educators and health officials are urged to collaborate on strategies to combat misinformation and ensure that students receive accurate and timely sexual health education. The time to act is now—misinformation can have lasting consequences, and young people’s well-being hangs in the balance.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.