Research trends in educational interventions for digital sexual media literacy among adolescents: a scoping review (2015-2025).
Gayoung Kim, Hae Won Kim
PMID 42419902WHAT IT FOUND
Across 11 adolescent sexual-media education studies, knowledge, attitudes and literacy usually improved after teaching, but effects on behaviour, communication and long-term literacy were inconsistent.
Key findings
01Eleven studies met inclusion criteria after screening 968 records.
02All four studies measuring sexual-health knowledge reported significant improvement, and all but one of eight studies measuring digital sexual-media literacy reported positive effects.
03Effects on behaviour and communication were mixed: sexual intercourse did not change significantly, and only 2 of 4 studies measuring sexual-health communication reported significant change.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The review was limited to Korean and English publications, so studies in other languages were not included. The included interventions differed in content, delivery, design and outcomes, so effects could not be compared directly. Many included studies used non-equivalent pre-post designs rather than randomised allocation, and all domestic studies used this design. Only 4 studies checked persistence, with follow-up at 2 weeks to 6 months. One literacy study showed a short-term effect at 1 month but no effect at 6-month follow-up.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest. Publication was supported by the 2026 Graduate Student Academic Activity Support Program from the Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that these programmes reliably prevent sexual risk behaviour or produce lasting literacy gains. The review found mixed effects on behaviour and communication, and many included studies were short, non-randomised, and measured outcomes soon after teaching.