Marvin Rivera
Presenter: Eric A. Malabanan

GENERATION TEXTERS: WHAT DO THEY SAY ABOUT SEXUALITY?
YOUTH ZONE INTERNET CHATROOM

ISSUES:

• The internet has been a prime source of information especially among the youth.
• Access to information on sexuality issue is not readily available in the Philippines.
• An Internet Relay Chat (IRC) chatroom #youthzone was created for this purpose.
• Sessions conducted through chat counseling.

METHODS:

• Remedios AIDS Foundation (RAF) has registered its channel at the Undernet Server.
• RAF has establish its local area network (LAN) as a pre-requisite in its operation and service delivery.
• Channel operators and system administrator have been trained on adolescent health counseling and were tapped to oversee the channel.

RESULTS:

• For the past 6 months of operation #youthzone has conducted 1,433 counseling sessions for youth chatters (age group 15-25 years old).
• Client were recruited from different youth friendly channels of the different servers (#filipino, #teens, #filipina, #gaypinoy, #bi-manila, #thomasian).
• Correspondingly, risk reduction measures are provided to chatters with risk exposure.
• Further referral services are provided should the need arise such as STD treatment, pregnancy counseling and HIV testing.

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Boy/Girl relationship
• Same sex relationship and marriage
• Parent-child relationship
• Teenage sex / marriage
• Family Planning and abortion
• Safer sex practices
• Coital debut
• Teenage values and life skills (empowerment, self-esteem, respect for the rights of others, team building)

CONCLUSION:

• Internet counseling is gaining its popularity among the youth has proved to be an effective alternative mode of counseling aside from phone and face-to-face counseling that the Remedios Foundation has offered.
• Adolescent sexual health issues can be discussed with confidentiality and anonymity through this innovative modality.