Every student, at some point in their life, is confronted with the question of their ‘future’. Although the question can seem daunting, preparation is typically provided through academics, extracurricular activities, and family support. However, one critical aspect that often lacks sufficient guidance is the development of interpersonal connections. The topic of “sex” becomes a key area of curiosity for many teenagers as they navigate the process of puberty. This curiosity, though natural, can lead to a series of challenges for minors, particularly those under eighteen. In the eyes of the law and society, a minor is considered a child and is entitled to certain protections that should not be compromised.
As students face these formative years, they often turn to their peers for advice or seek out online spaces for exploration. Unfortunately, due to a lack of proper guidance, these explorations may expose minors to harmful or unsafe situations. Particularly, with the increasing reliance on the cyber domain for self-discovery, children are vulnerable to exploitation and risky behaviour that can affect their mental, physical, and emotional well-being. If left unaddressed, these risks not only jeopardise their futures but, can also undermine broader national security efforts, as unaddressed vulnerabilities in youth can lead to larger societal issues such as health crises, human rights violations, and economic setbacks. In a national security context, the welfare of young people directly influences the security and stability of the nation. Teenage pregnancies, unsafe sexual practices, and the misuse of online platforms all have profound consequences, including health risks such as the spread of sexually transmitted infections, human rights violations due to exploitation or coercion, and the breakdown of justice systems when legal protections fail. These problems also impose significant economic barriers, as the opportunities available to children and young adults who face such challenges are severely limited. To prevent these dangers, children and minors must be mentored and guided appropriately. Thorndike’s ‘trial and error’ theory emphasises how children learn from the consequences of their actions, yet in the context of sensitive matters like sex, the consequences can be severe, affecting their lives and futures for years to come. The absence of meaningful conversations about sex in Sri Lankan households and schools, often due to cultural taboos and societal barriers, leaves children vulnerable. This lack of guidance can be detrimental, not only to the individuals involved but to national security as a whole.
Education and Effect: What changes with Sexual and Reproductive Health (SHR)
Internationally, Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education is a critical component of a high school student’s education, particularly in countries like the United States, where addressing adolescent health and education is highly prioritised to avoid issues in the long run. The difference is based on the cultural values that Lankan households and schools have, retaining a general awkwardness or even taboo on the subject matter, which is understandable considering the cultural upbringing, as well as barriers and age-long practices. Although these values are the cornerstone of our society, it is prudent to see why we should not be limited to supporting the integration of our children into the world at an appropriate age. Inevitably, integrating comprehensive SRH education within the Sri Lankan education system should not be delayed until university, but introduced progressively from an appropriate age. Early learning can significantly contribute to the well-being of students by equipping them with the understanding required to make informed decisions in their relationships. Sri Lankan cultural values emphasize morality and the importance of safeguarding virtues, especially for minors. While it is crucial to discourage the exploration of sex at a young age, teenage pregnancies can be disastrous. The best approach is to raise awareness that sex should not be seen as a way to prove love. It is also vital to educate both adults and young people on safe sex practices to prevent unintended pregnancies and STDs while ensuring they make informed and responsible choices. A spate of misinformation as well as disinformation is passed mostly around the topic around the ages of late puberty (ages 8 to 14) and onward regarding sexual interactions and how to make them devoid of the consequences (Breehl. L &., Caban. O, 2023). SRH education can teach students what is generally true and can prevent any issues arising from misunderstandings or a general knowledge gap. Mental health issues are another factor that needs to be considered in this area, and this is twofold. One is that some students are inclined to engage in sex to evade stress in family hurdles, academic stress or other relationships, and on the other hand, exploration of sex can also contribute to the mental status of these children and may cause more harm to their lives than necessary, which is a threat multiplier.Legal status
As explained by De Silva, B. (2021) in Sri Lanka, while legal measures such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), national legislations such as the Penal Code relevant amendments and the National Child Protection Authority Act have been implemented to safeguard children’s rights, there remain significant practical issues. Although laws protect children from exploitation and abuse, early pregnancies and sexual experimentation among minors can result in long-term consequences for their health, education, and overall well-being. This highlights the need for comprehensive education that helps young people make informed decisions, equipping them with the knowledge to avoid situations like early pregnancy and unsafe sexual practices. While Sri Lanka’s cultural values emphasise the importance of safeguarding minors and maintaining morality, it is crucial to address the reality that many teenagers still face pressures or lack awareness about the consequences of early sexual activity.
Current status
A part of this defence strategy should be the education of children to be able to assess these issues, such that they are able to mitigate acts of sexual abuse against them. A study by Rochandra. Y. M et al. (2023) find that 14% of young Lankans up to 18 years of age encountered sexual abuse. Teaching young children the concepts of consent, reporting and boundaries in relationships can help in reducing the menace of sexual abuse and gender inequalities. Empowering young women and men in responding to Sexual Exploitation and Gender Violence can help young students make informed decisions about their bodies and future when speaking up against abuse. Something that cannot be done by students who are oblivious to the actions of others, without this knowledge, children are easily exploitable in relationships and more. What is particularly vexing for analysts is that Sri Lanka has SRH education incorporated into the school curriculum system, which discusses the ideas of nutrition, puberty, the reproductive systems, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and the general idea of pregnancy. Regardless, this education still precedes evolving patterns in adolescent sexual behaviour, which come with the negatives of sexual abuse, mental health repercussions and more. Research conducted by Kumarasinghe et al. (2022), Sampled Sri Lankan unmarried youth aged 15 to 19 engaging in premarital sex, of which 25% of boys and 11% of girls, explored sexual activities. A third of these individuals had unprotected sexual encounters, and a tenth under the age of 20, with a person they did not know. Increasing Sexual Health Knowledge (SHK) and its education should in theory reduce these numbers, however, SHK among young students causes more issues in the field than meets the eye. According to Wickramarachchi. H, (2024) of the nearly 1,700 young Lankans aged 14 to 18, the average youth had a “good knowledge” of SHK, whereas a third were “at-risk” of sexual behaviours. Those in urban areas tended to demonstrate a greater risk than those in rural areas, who had poorer knowledge of SHK. Therefore, the conclusion remains that increasing SHK is not the solution and this paradigm of analysis requires drastic shifts in approach and content to maximise SRH Education such that it benefits young Lankans.
This further extends to the protection and rights of women facing gender-based violence (GBV). According to the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health (2023), around 20% to 72% of women faced domestic violence, which can also extend to similar acts by minors that spiral into acts with greater notoriety. Early education and awareness in schools can support the fight against GBV by influencing the development of children such that they learn to manage relationships without violence. Depriving this education of young girls can also lead to their exploitation from an early age.
Digital age
In today’s digital age, minors often find themselves exploring virtual spaces, particularly when they feel a lack of guidance or boundaries. As they transition into adolescence, this age is marked by curiosity, and when the usual limitations or parental supervision are relaxed, children may increasingly turn to the digital world. They engage in online interactions, including chat rooms, social media platforms, or virtual environments that allow them to experiment and explore their identities. While these platforms offer a sense of freedom and anonymity, they also pose significant risks, as minors may try to experiment with physical or emotional aspects of relationships they are not yet equipped to handle. This virtual exploration, if not properly guided, can lead to harmful consequences, including exposure to unsafe behaviour and physical contexts as well.
Regardless of parental or adult supervision, the rebellious nature of adolescence often leads minors to roam freely in the digital realm, driven by curiosity and peer influence. It is essential to recognise that this phase of exploration, although natural, brings varied risks. Without a proper understanding of the potential drawbacks, such as legal consequences, mental health challenges, or disrupted education and health consequences, minors may make decisions that could have long-term negative effects. Minors, in this context, can also fall victim to exploitation. They are not only at risk of being coerced into participating in harmful activities but may also inadvertently engage in behaviour that makes them offenders. The anonymity and accessibility of online platforms make it easier for offenders to manipulate minors into producing and sharing explicit content. Tragically, children can be exploited by those involved in child pornography or sexual abuse, leading them to become victims of these crimes. The consequences of falling prey to such perpetrators are devastating. Beyond the immediate emotional and psychological trauma, victims of child exploitation face long-lasting effects on their mental health, social relationships, and educational outcomes. The impact can be so severe that it disrupts their ability to lead a normal life, with many victims experiencing shame, anxiety, and depression that can persist well into adulthood.
National security implications
The exploitation and victimisation of minors have escalated into a pressing national security concern, as the modern security paradigm has now expanded including human security, cyber threats, and socio-economic stability. The increasing cases of child abuse, online exploitation, and unsafe practices not only violate fundamental human rights but also create ripple effects that weaken the justice system, economic resilience, and overall national stability. The failure to protect minors allows transnational criminal networks to exploit them for trafficking, cyber-enabled crimes, and even extremist recruitment, turning innocent lives into tools for criminal agendas.
Health security is another critical dimension, as rising cases of teenage pregnancies and unsafe sexual practices expose minors to severe health risks, including maternal mortality, untreated infections, and long-term reproductive complications. The lack of proper medical care for young mothers results in preventable deaths, perpetuating a cycle of vulnerability and poverty. Moreover, these minors—many forced into premature parenthood—face significant economic barriers, often dropping out of education and losing access to employment opportunities, further marginalising them from mainstream society.
The justice system, already burdened by inefficiencies, becomes increasingly crippled when cases of child abuse and exploitation go unreported, unprosecuted, or mishandled due to systemic gaps. Corruption, stigma, and bureaucratic delays enable perpetrators to evade accountability, further emboldening networks that profit from the suffering of children. Without stringent legal enforcement and institutional reforms, impunity prevails, eroding public trust in governance and law enforcement.
In the cyber domain, minors remain highly vulnerable to online predators, blackmail, and psychological manipulation. The absence of strong regulatory frameworks and digital literacy programs leaves children exposed to cyber exploitation, fake personas, and coercion tactics that pull them into trafficking rings or criminal activities. The unchecked spread of harmful content online whether through encrypted messaging platforms or dark web marketplaces worsens the situation, making cyber exploitation an invisible yet pervasive national threat.
Conclusion
The protection of minors is not just a legal or social responsibility, it is a national security imperative. The multifaceted threats faced by children, ranging from exploitation and abuse to systemic gaps in justice and economic barriers, have far-reaching consequences that weaken a nation’s stability. Health security risks from teenage pregnancies and unsafe sexual practices not only jeopardise the well-being of minors but, also strain public healthcare systems, perpetuating cycles of poverty and vulnerability. Human security is severely compromised as the fundamental rights of children are continuously violated, leading to generations growing up with psychological trauma, limited access to education, and diminished economic opportunities. The digital age has further expanded these risks, with cyber threats exposing minors to exploitation, trafficking, and psychological manipulation. When legal systems face challenges in addressing these evolving threats, perpetrators continue to evade consequences, creating an environment where exploitation persists. In an era where national security is deeply intertwined with human security, economic resilience, and cyber defence.
A way forward
As stated, the Sri Lankan curriculum has integrated SHK, however, the effectiveness of this integration varies, such that there is a need for a more comprehensive approach. The critical topics, such as menstruation and certain ethics, are discussed, however, subjects such as contraception and misconceptions receive far less attention and are usually not adequately explored by the educator. This gap in education leaves many adolescents without the necessary information to navigate their sexual and reproductive health responsibly. With the knowledge of these responsibilities, however, SHK may have a negative effect, hence why SHK requires a so-called ‘new face’. Integrating psychosexual behaviour as a part of the introduction to the reproduction lesson in the textbook syllabus could be invaluable in understanding sexual feelings and how to maintain sexual health from a young age. Detailed ideas of self-control, feelings of sexual attraction, and negative practices of sexual interactions are important; without a reason, students are left to experiment for themselves without the correct guidelines, and it may cause an unintended pregnancy or even a Sexually Transmitted Infection, both issues that have long-term effects.
In addition to this, addressing the digital challenges is crucial in the context of adolescent sexual and reproductive health education. Schools should incorporate digital literacy education as part of their broader curriculum. This would cover how to engage with online platforms safely, how to identify manipulative content, and understand data privacy. Online safety modules could teach students to recognise potential risks such as cyberbullying, sexting, and predatory behaviours, emphasising the importance of privacy settings and safe online practices. Furthermore, parental involvement is key. Parents need to be educated about online safety and digital parenting, and workshops should be organised to help them have open dialogues with their children regarding sexual health, consent, and digital engagement. Peer-to-peer education programs could also be implemented, where older students, trained in digital safety, could educate younger students about responsible digital behaviours and navigating online spaces respectfully.
To specifically address online exploitation and child pornography, students must be taught how to identify potential abusers, how to report abuse, and understand the grave consequences of such crimes. Schools should collaborate with law enforcement and NGOs to offer workshops on online sexual exploitation, teaching students how to recognise risky situations and seek help when necessary. Clear reporting mechanisms should also be made available to ensure that minors who face online exploitation can easily and anonymously report abuse. Incorporating digital ethics into the curriculum is another important step. Students should be educated about ethical online behaviours, such as respecting others’ boundaries and understanding the legal implications of their digital actions. This would also include educating them on the consequences of sexting, cyberbullying, and the creation or sharing of explicit content. Additionally, making support systems accessible, such as hotlines and counselling services, can provide students with the necessary resources if they face digital exploitation or emotional distress. Finally, the government should strengthen legal frameworks surrounding digital crimes, ensuring that there are clear consequences for offenders and protections for victims. Considering these recommendations, it will aid in strengthening security holistically.
Charani L. Charithma. M. Patabendige is a Research Assistant and a Research Analyst,(Actg) at the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), which is established and functioning under the Ministry of Defence. Ravith E. N. Ihalagedara Is a Research (Intern) at the INSS. The opinions expressed are their own and not reflective of the Institute or the Ministry*