Hi, during puberty, bodies and emotions change very quickly, and it’s common for young people to notice new feelings, curiosity, or sensations that they didn’t have before. That can feel confusing, embarrassing, or even worrying and those feelings themselves are very normal, it's just part of your journey into adulthood.

For me, I’d say I got “the talk” at school first, around late primary age, and then bits were filled in over time rather than one big sit‑down chat at home. I also had a really close friendship group, and honestly, we talked about everything; bodies, crushes, puberty, periods  and kind of pieced a lot of it together ourselves through chatting, asking questions, and learning as we went along. It made it feel way less awkward because we weren’t dealing with it alone.

Everyone’s experience is different though. Some people get a proper talk at home, some learn mostly at school, and some mainly through friends and all of that is okay. What matters most is that you feel able to ask questions and get clear, kind, honest answers when you need them.

If you want to talk more about how it went for you, I’m listening x

Hi, as you say, the age of consent varies by country. In the UK it’s 16, and in the Republic of Ireland it’s 17. When the law talks about being “sexually active,” it does not mean things like kissing, holding hands, cuddling, or having a crush. Those are considered normal, age‑appropriate behaviours so long as everyone involved is happy and consenting. Kissing is not illegal. The law is aimed at protecting young people from sexual acts that involve genital contact or explicit sexual behaviour, especially where there’s pressure, imbalance of age, or lack of consent.

Another really important point is consent: any behaviour...even hugging or kissing becomes a problem if someone doesn’t want it. In that case, it’s not about age or “sexual activity,” it’s about boundaries. From what you’ve said, you’re just curious and not planning anything, which is completely fine. 

Hi, when you’re around 11–13, your body and brain are going through massive puberty changes. That can cause: Butterflies or a tingly feeling when you see someone you like, random crushes or daydreams, even curiosity about kissing or romance. Thoughts like this pop into your head even if you weren’t trying to think about them

They are normal, and they don’t mean you have to do anything about them. It’s just your brain learning new emotions and your hormones switching on for the first time.

The same it true of sexual thoughts, sometimes puberty can make your brain imagine things that feel way too grown‑up or confusing. It can be surprising or even uncomfortable, but the important thing to remember is:

• You don’t have to act on any of those thoughts. They’re just thoughts,  like your brain running “what if” scenarios.
• And it doesn’t mean you’re ready for anything sexual. At 12, nobody expects you to be.

What you are ready for is learning about feelings, boundaries, friendships, and what healthy liking someone looks like.

My tips would be to focus your time on hobbies or spending time with friends and family when your brain feels busy. Even writing things down in a journal can help.

Growing up is confusing, and you’re not alone in this. These thoughts don’t make you strange, and they don’t mean anything is “wrong” with you. They’re simply a sign that your body is changing, just like everyone else your age.

Hi, I appreciate that this must have felt a little strange, but it actually shows how much your parents care for one another which is a lovely thing!!!

Maybe in future pop some earbuds in, or make a few noises in your room so they know you are around. and if you feel brave enough let them know that they can be heard, I am sure they had not realised this and will want to be sensitive to your feelings.

I guess it will feel different for everyone, but for many it's a pleasant and intense feeling, but should always be consensual and with someone you care for deeply.

Yes, most likely it would!

Hi, you really don’t need to worry about this situation. Based on what you described, your test results being negative or extremely low risk, and the contact being limited to kissing and very indirect external touch, the chances of any HPV transmission are extremely close to zero. HPV is mainly spread through direct sexual skin-to-skin contact, not through kissing or minor indirect contact, even if you had a small cut lip.

Because of that, there’s no realistic reason to think you’ve put him at risk, and therefore no chain reaction where he might unknowingly pass something to someone else. Medically speaking, this situation doesn’t fall into the kind of exposure that would require concern, monitoring, or disclosure. It’s understandable your mind is trying to “what if” everything, but this is one of those cases where the science is very reassuring.

So from both a health and moral perspective, you can let this go. You’ve already been responsible by getting tested and thinking about others, and there’s nothing here suggesting harm or risk. He wouldn’t be doing anything wrong by not bringing this up in a future relationship, and you don’t need to carry this worry forward.

Hi, I’m so sorry you’re going through something this frightening, and I want you to know that what’s happening is not your fault. When someone is hurting you or threatening you, it can feel impossible to speak up, but you deserve to be safe and protected.

The most important thing you can do is tell a trusted adult who can act immediately to keep you safe. Please reach out to a teacher, school nurse, counsellor, or another adult you feel able to talk to and tell them what has been happening. You will be believed and taken seriously and once you’ve shared what’s going on, they can put proper protection in place.

If you feel unable to speak to someone face‑to‑face, you can contact Childline on 0800 1111 (free, confidential, and open 24/7). You can also contact the police on 999 if you ever feel in immediate danger.

Trust me you are not alone in this, and there are people whose job is to make sure you are safe and supported.

Hi, firstly it's worth noting that things like sore breasts, cramps, extra hunger, feeling tired, and changes in discharge can all happen simply because of stress, irregular cycles, changes in routine, or your body’s normal hormone shifts. None of those symptoms automatically mean pregnancy, especially if your cycle is usually unpredictable.

If your period is late and you’re feeling anxious, the safest, clearest thing you can do is take a pregnancy test, which you can buy privately at a pharmacy or supermarket. You can also talk to a school nurse, walk‑in clinic, or another trusted health professional if you want support, you don’t need to involve your parents to ask general health questions. 

Hi, if you and your boyfriend simply slept in the same bed without doing anything sexual, then no - that wouldn’t be classed as sex. Sharing a bed isn’t the same as sexual activity, and it doesn’t mean you or he have done anything “wrong.” It’s normal to feel confused or worried when you’re not sure what counts, but from what you’ve described, you haven’t crossed that line.

However, since you’re both under the legal age to be sexually active, it’s important to be careful. Even making out can sometimes lead things further without you meaning it to. Taking a step back and waiting until you’re both 16 or older can help you avoid stress, understand your boundaries better, and make choices that feel safe and calm for you. 

Yes, this is completely normal. During puberty, your body is going through a lot of changes, not just in how you look, but also in how different parts of your body feel and react. As your hormones shift, you might notice new or unusual sensations that you’ve never felt before. It can feel a bit strange or even unsettling at first, but it’s just a sign that your body is maturing and adjusting. There’s nothing to worry about; these feelings settle down as you get more used to your body’s changes.

Hi! Please don’t worry, it’s completely normal to start noticing new feelings, including sexual thoughts or curiosity, even if you haven’t had your period yet.

During puberty, your body and brain go through a lot of changes all at once. Hormones (special chemicals in the body that tell your brain to make the change from child to adult) like oestrogen and testosterone increase, and these can influence your emotions, imagination and the way you respond to things. These feelings can start before your first period because your period doesn’t cause them, they’re simply another part of growing up and becoming more aware of yourself.

What matters is that you understand having these thoughts doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong, and it definitely doesn’t mean you have to act on them. Feeling curious or having sexual thoughts is a normal part of emotional development, and it happens to everyone at different times.

You’re doing the right thing by asking questions and wanting to understand your body. 

The word 'goon' is a slang term to describe masturbation, which is not age appropriate and most likely why your parents and brothers didn’t want to explain it.

It is completely normal for certain parts of your body to be ticklish or sensitive, especially when you’re going through puberty. Some people feel ticklish on their ribs, tummy, sides, underarms,  and yes, sometimes the chest area too. It’s just nerve endings doing their thing.

Hi Jamie, firstly these feelings and thoughts you are experiencing are very normal and all part of puberty and your transition from child to adult. Yes, they can be a little scary and overwhelming and if you feel they are taking up too much of your time, keep busy, stay focused on a hobby, keeping active...often you see, when masturbation or thoughts of a sexual nature start to take control it's more over boredom than desire.

Hi, keep busy, stay in communal areas so you are alone less, whilst masturbation is both normal and natural, it is often done out of habit, so keeping busy will help immensely. 

It sounds like you’re hearing a bit of slang going around school, but that particular term is often used in a sexual way online in relation to masturbation.

If anyone in class is using it casually, you are not missing out on normal school slang, it’s just one of those internet words that people sometimes repeat without really knowing what it means. But as with lots of sexual slang words, they can start to become common place and so if I were you I would avoid using this word when possible.

What you’re describing doesn’t sound like “accidentally having sex.” The law in the UK is very clear: any type of sexual activity between people under 16 is not allowed, and this includes all young people, no matter their gender or sexuality.

The reason isn’t to blame or shame anyone, it’s to protect young people, because even if your body feels ready, your emotions and understanding of consent and boundaries are still developing.

When it comes to what “crosses the line,” here’s a simple way to think about it that’s safe and age‑appropriate:

Making out (kissing) is allowed, but anything involving touching private areas, yours or your girlfriend’s, inside or outside clothing counts as sexual activity, even if it feels small or accidental. That’s where the line is.

Nothing you’ve said suggests you’ve “accidentally had sex.” It sounds more like you’re feeling unsure and worried, which is completely normal. What does matter is making sure you and your girlfriend stay within safe boundaries and keep things to kissing or cuddling, things that don’t cross into sexual touching.

If anything happened that made you confused, embarrassed, or unsure whether a boundary was crossed, it’s okay to talk to a trusted adult or a school safeguarding lead. You won’t be in trouble, they’re there to help keep you both safe.

What an interesting question, it's not often I have a question I have never had before!!

The simple answer is NO, you cannot give birth while having sex the body simply doesn’t work that way. Giving birth only happens when the body goes into labour, which means the cervix opens and the uterus starts pushing the baby out, and during sex the cervix stays closed and the body is not in labour, so it’s not possible for birth to happen at the same time.