Parents and Teens Talk: A New Online Tool to Stop HIV in Youth

A new study will test an online program that helps parents of gay and bisexual teens talk openly about sex and HIV. The project is called PATHS, short for Parents and Adolescent Talking About Healthy Sexuality. Researchers believe that better conversations between parents and children can lower risky sexual behaviors, especially among teens who are at higher risk for HIV. Most HIV infections in American teenagers come from same‑sex encounters, yet few programs specifically target this group. Traditional school lessons and community outreach have limited reach, especially for families that feel uncomfortable discussing sexuality at home. PATHS offers a private, internet‑based platform where parents can learn how to discuss topics like condom use, testing, and consent with their children. The trial will randomly assign families to either receive the PATHS program or wait for a later session. This way, researchers can see if parents who use the tool actually change their communication patterns and support behaviors. The study will also monitor how teen partners respond, looking at whether they feel more comfortable sharing their own sexual health concerns.By focusing on the parent–teen relationship, PATHS taps into a powerful influence that many interventions overlook. When parents feel equipped to talk about sexuality, teens are more likely to use protection and seek testing early. The researchers hope that if PATHS works, it can be shared widely online, reaching families across the country. The study also gathers data on how parents use technology and whether they prefer self‑paced modules over live sessions. This information will help shape future programs that fit busy family schedules and respect privacy. If the trial shows positive results, PATHS could become a low‑cost, scalable way to reduce HIV risk among gay and bisexual youth. It would give parents a practical guide for conversations that matter most, while giving teens the support they need to stay healthy.