Key Issues
Whether their risk of infection seems slight or significant, children and teenagers need to know about HIV and AIDS. By providing accurate information, you can satisfy their curiosity, reduce their fears, and help them to protect themselves.
Children can be affected by HIV and AIDS at any age. Teenagers may put themselves at risk - or have friends they are concerned about. And younger children may have heard about it on television or from their friends, and wonder what it means to them.
What you should tell them depends on their age and activities, experience and interest. Sexually active 16 year olds and curious eight year olds both need information, but they won't want to know the same things. Their outlook will differ, too: while younger children may be afraid of AIDS, teens and older children often see themselves as invulnerable.
It also depends how much they already know. Do they have health or family life classes at school? Human sexuality education should be part of the curriculum from kindergarten to the end of high school. They should be learning about HIV and AIDS prevention, but you can't assume they are. Ask them what is being taught - or ask the school what resources are being used.
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