Studies have not found that sex education encourages sexual experimentation or increased involvement in sexual activity. Programs that only promote abstinence have not been found to be effective in controlling the onset of sexual activity.

Educational Videos
Limitations on the effectiveness of traditional classroom sex education approaches have led to the creation of alternative methods to communicate key sex education messages. One innovative approach is the use of specially produced educational videos. These videos often emphasize assertiveness and refusal skills (in responding to peer pressure), decision-making related to teen sexuality, and specific sex and health information (e.g., the symptoms of various sexually transmitted diseases).

Some videos also address the issue of mixing alcohol and sexual activity (a practice that has been found to lead to poor decision-making and riskier behavior). The rationale for sex education videos is that knowledge is not sufficient to lower the frequency of risky behavior.

Sex education videos commonly seek to address barriers to risk avoidance (e.g., pressure from a boy- or girlfriend to initiate sex or the widespread belief that condoms are ineffective in preventing pregnancy or infection with an STD or HIV).

Teen Theater Sex
Another innovative approach, which combines entertainment and peer communication of sex education information, is the use of teen theater. It began in 1973 at New York Medical College. Since its inception, teen theater sex education has been implemented in various locations around the U.S.

The expectation is that dramatic performances about critical sex education issues will decrease teen anxiety about sensitive issues, increase the willingness of teens to openly discuss sexual issues, increase the intention of sexually active teens to use birth control and protect themselves from STDs and HIV, and contribute to a delay in the onset of sexual activity among teens who are not already sexually active.

Research has shown that a key factor in avoidance of condom use among sexually active teenagers is embarrassment. In response, several teen theater performances have focused on decision-making around condom purchase and use. Evaluation of dramatic sex education has shown that this approach does lead to greater levels of sexual knowledge and increased willingness to talk freely about sex. However, it is has not been shown to significantly impact actual sexual practices.