Developers Create Video Game to Assist Teens Choose a Birth Control Method Researchers at Weill Medical College of Cornell University are testing a specially designed video game called No Baby No to help teenagers and young adults make smarter choices about birth control and safe sex. The study will compare this educational game against regular commercial video games to see if it actually changes real-world behavior. The game is designed to teach players about different types of birth control methods, how to leverage protection correctly, the risks of unprotected sex and how to receive sexual health services. Researchers will measure outcomes including how often participants use protection during sex, what types of birth control they choose, number of sexual partners, STI and pregnancy test results, and confidence in making safe sex decisions. Teen pregnancy remains a significant public health issue, and many young people don’t use protection consistently. New approaches are needed to reach digital-native generations, as games may be more engaging than traditional sex education. Participants must be able to speak English or Spanish and have either a smartphone or email account to participate. The study is open to both sexually active teens and those who aren’t currently having sex. The study is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services and will run from May 2025 through November 2027. Researchers will enroll about 850 young people ages 15-20 for this clinical trial. Participants will play either the No Baby No game or a regular commercial game for two 60-minute sessions over two weeks. The study will then follow them for 9 months to see if the game makes a difference in their sexual health decisions. If effective, the No Baby No game could become a valuable tool for schools, clinics and parents to help teens make healthier choices. This research could lead to breakthrough new ways to deliver sexual health education that young people actually enjoy and pay attention to.
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