A survey by Save the Children in collaboration with IPSOS, conducted among adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18, highlights some disturbing realities about discrimination and behavior related to sexuality. More than 1 in 4 teens (26%) believe it is common to experience or witness discrimination related to sexual orientation or identity, while 22% report sexist discrimination and 35% experience body shaming. On the sexuality front, nearly 1 in 4 teens (24%) consider pornography to be a realistic depiction of sex, and 17% agree that self-producing pornographic material can be a solution out of economic necessity. Despite this, only 12% consider online sex to be equal to live sex. As for sexual experiences, 66% of teenagers have already had sex, but 16% have done so in order not to feel different and 9% due to pressure from their partners. The data also reveal a worrying lack of awareness and prevention: 82% have never had an HIV test and only 12% have been to a counseling center. The main source of information on these issues is the web, with 47% of respondents finding out about sexual practices through websites and online articles.
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