MTV's Skins episode sheds light on STDs among teens

When the new American adaptation of the television series Skins first aired on MTV, many advertisers removed their promotions from the time slot due to harsh critique from the Parents Television Council (PTC).

Members of the PTC alleged that the program contained child pornography, as the show follows the lives of high school teens who frequently partake in risky sexual behavior.

Although many critics have stated that the characters portrayed in Skins glorify sex and drug abuse among teens, the real-life consequences of these actions are also played out.

In a new episode, a promiscuous character, Tony, contracts a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and infects his unwitting girlfriend.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are 19 million new cases of STD infection each year and that young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 account for more than half of this number.

While television programs and other media outlets may address the prevalence of STDs among young people, the CDC recommends that parents become actively involved in educating their children about the potential risks of unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners.

Any individual may consider using online testing services to determine their STD status.