Parents as partners in youth sexual health: a community-based qualitative study of communication, barriers, and emerging digital supports in Alberta, Canada

Young people often lack accurate sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, relying on friends, digital media, or informal sources that may be incomplete or misleading. These knowledge gaps contribute to poor decision-making, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections. Parents can support youth SRH understanding, but cultural norms, discomfort, and limited resources often hinder communication. This study explored parents’ perceptions, experiences, and needs regarding youth SRH education, including sexual health knowledge, experience of SRH programmes, parent–child communication, barriers and facilitators, and the role of digital technology. Using community-based participatory research with integrated knowledge translation, we conducted semi-structured online (Zoom) interviews with 15 parents. Parent partners helped refine the interview guide, interpret findings, and shape dissemination. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Parents emphasised that open, trusting communication is essential for guiding young people, although cultural norms, discomfort, and structural constraints often limited discussions. They viewed text messaging and other digital tools as complementary forms of support offering timely, age-appropriate guidance, and framed sexual health education as both protective and empowering. Parents are essential partners in SRH education yet face gaps in knowledge, resources, and communication strategies. Findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive, parent-informed, digitally supported interventions.