News release

From: Burnet Institute

As Valentine’s Day approaches – when love and relationships are front of mind – Burnet Institute is highlighting The Gist, an evidence-based program designed to give young people practical tools for navigating sex, relationships and wellbeing.

The Gist moves beyond risk-based sex education to focus on communication, consent and emotional safety – helping young people understand what healthy, respectful connection looks like in real life.

“At the heart of this is helping young people build relationships that actually align with their own values and ethics,” said Associate Professor Megan Lim, Head of Young People’s Health at Burnet.

“So much sex education focuses on what not to do. Through programs like The Gist, we try to flip that and show the positive side of sex and relationships – what healthy, respectful connection can look like in real life.”

Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to broaden public conversations about love beyond romance and grand gestures, and instead centre respect and communication.

“Consent and connection are a part of everything we do, not just for sex,” she said.

The latest findings from Burnet’s annual Sex, Drugs and Rock ’n’ Roll Survey show many young Australians are navigating intimacy in a world heavily shaped by online pornography and social media – often without clear, practical guidance on healthy relationships.

It found:

• 77% of young people said sexual pleasure was not covered at school
• 84% said types of sex were not covered at school
• Only 42% said consent education was covered well

While young people are exposed to more sexual content than ever before, this content rarely reflects real-life intimacy, Associate Professor Lim said.

“Porn and social media don’t show the conversations that make relationships healthy, things like boundaries, consent and checking in with each other,” she said.

Associate Professor Lim’s work highlights a gap between the expectations young people absorb online and the skills they need to build positive, respectful relationships offline.

This gap can contribute to pressure, confusion and difficulty communicating needs and boundaries.