Experts Warn School Pupils Misled by AI on Sexual Health Myths

URGENT UPDATE: Experts are sounding alarms as new reports confirm that school pupils are falling prey to dangerous sexual health myths perpetuated by social media and artificial intelligence. A staggering two-thirds of students surveyed in an educational program believe that using contraception can lead to infertility, raising serious concerns about the reliability of online information sources.

Dr. Fergal Malone, a consultant obstetrician and head of the RCSI’s department of obstetrics and gynecology, warns that reliance on AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT and Meta AI for sexual health information poses significant risks. “Young people are absolutely now relying on AI systems to get information,” Malone stated. “If misinformation goes in, there’s a good chance that AI is going to pass on more misinformation.”

The alarming findings come from the Debunking the Myths education program, which has engaged over 17,700 students across 166 schools in the past three years. This program allows students to interact directly with medical professionals. Yet, the data shows troubling gaps in knowledge. For instance, an average of 48% of students believe there are “safe times” during the menstrual cycle when women cannot conceive, a dangerous misconception that could lead to unintended pregnancies.

Malone explained, “There is no safe time,” emphasizing the complexities of ovulation and the lifespan of sperm. Additionally, many students display ignorance about long-acting contraceptive options, despite knowing about short-term methods like pills and condoms.

The program also reveals that 58% of participants mistakenly think a normal menstrual cycle is exclusively 28 days, while 39% believe it is unsafe to take the pill continuously without breaks. Such myths contribute to a culture where young people feel they must “suffer” through their periods.

Concerns extend to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with students frequently asking questions like, “Are STIs fatal?” This reflects misinformation they may have absorbed from social media platforms like TikTok. “Many statements are made by influencers who, many times, have no medical credentials at all,” said Malone.

The RCSI’s initiative aims to combat misinformation by providing accurate, science-based information. Earlier this month, OpenAI announced reforms to improve the quality of information from its AI systems. However, initial responses from AI platforms to commonly asked questions about the pill and STIs highlight ongoing uncertainties. For example, when asked if the pill causes infertility, ChatGPT replied, “No — the contraceptive pill does not make you infertile.” In contrast, Meta AI offered a vague response, indicating, “There’s no strong evidence that the pill causes permanent infertility.”

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the urgent need for reliable sexual health education has never been clearer. The implications of these myths are significant, affecting the health and well-being of young people worldwide.

What’s Next: Schools and parents are urged to prioritize accurate sexual health education, especially in the age of misinformation. The RCSI program aims to expand its reach, ensuring that young people receive the correct information they need to make informed decisions about their health.

This story highlights the critical intersection of technology, education, and health, urging society to confront the challenges posed by misinformation in the digital age.