Typical sexual behaviour in late adolescence: 15-17 years
Sexual development starts from birth. It includes physical changes like puberty, the attitudes and beliefs children develop about sex and sexuality, and their sexual behaviour.
Sexual behaviour varies depending on development, social relationships, cultural background, and personal and family experiences. But it’s common for teens to become more curious about sex and sexuality as they develop. Some might experiment sexually alone or with others.
15-17 years: curiosity and experimentation
- Masturbating in private for pleasure
- Exploring sexual interests through erotic materials like pornography
- Showing affection and having intimate relationships or consensual sex with same-age peers
Your child might behave in these ways because it feels good. They might also do it because they:
- are working out social and sexual relationships
- are experiencing puberty
- are exploring their identity.
If you talk openly about sex and sexuality with your child, it sends the message that your child can come to you for honest and reliable information. These conversations can help your child make positive, safe and informed choices, now and in the future.
How to support healthy development and behaviour: tips for parents
If your child is in an intimate relationship, this can be an opportunity to support your child’s healthy development. The key is listening, talking and answering questions openly, honestly and non-judgmentally.
Topics for parents to discuss: relationships, respect, identity, consent
At this age, you could talk with your teenage child about romantic relationships and sexual affection, sexual and gender identity, consent, respectful relationships and pornography.
It’s also good to talk with your child about appropriate behaviour in intimate relationships. For example, you could talk about how ‘yes’ to one activity doesn’t mean an automatic ‘yes’ to another, and your child needs to keep checking when they’re being intimate with someone.
What parents can do when they’re concerned
Start by explaining your concerns and expectations. For example, your teen might be sending and receiving explicit text messages and photos. Even if this activity is consensual, you could talk about the personal risks of sexting and the legal risks of sexting.
What to do about harmful behaviour: advice for parents
Sometimes sexual behaviour in 15-17-year-olds isn’t what’s expected for their developmental stage or isn’t socially or culturally appropriate.
And sometimes young people’s sexual behaviour at this age is dangerous or harmful to themselves or others. Harmful behaviour can range from concerning to serious and extreme.
Recognising concerning signs in adolescents
Harmful behaviour at 15-17 years might include masturbating:
- compulsively and so much that it interferes with other activities
- in ways that injure their genitals
- in public.
It might also include:
- having unprotected vaginal or anal sex or engaging in sexual behaviour while drunk
- having sex or engaging in other sexual acts to be popular or in exchange for money or alcohol
- engaging in dangerous or life-threatening behaviour, like strangling
- engaging younger or more vulnerable children in sexual activity
- bribing, manipulating, blackmailing or coercing others to engage in sexual behaviour like oral sex or penetration with objects
- using explicit language to intimidate others
- watching pornography so much that it interferes with other activities or watching violent, aggressive or illegal pornography
- taking and sharing photos or videos of sexual acts involving themselves or others without consent.
Older adolescents might behave in these ways for many reasons. For example, it might happen because they:
- have been exposed to pornography or adult sexual activity and are re-enacting what they’ve seen
- are experiencing child sexual abuse or other forms of child abuse
- find it hard to manage their emotions.
Teenagers who have learning difficulties and disorders or difficulties with impulse control, social skills or rules can also be more vulnerable to engaging in harmful sexual behaviour.
At this age, if your child is engaging in harmful sexual behaviour with a younger child, it could be considered a criminal offence.
Where to get help for harmful behaviour
If you’ve noticed harmful sexual behaviour, which your child keeps doing even when you ask them to stop, it’s a good idea to seek support and professional help.
A GP is a good place to start. The GP can refer you to an experienced health professional who can help you understand what’s happening and how you can help your child.
Harmful sexual behaviour in adolescence can be distressing. You can get support by contacting helplines and specialist services.
More information for parents about sexual development
You can learn more about typical and harmful behaviour throughout childhood and adolescence in the following parent guides: