The finding debunks popular perceptions that it is because young people are drunk or feel pressurised.
The study, based on the work of the Leicestershire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership, questioned more than 600 14- to 16-year-olds and health practitioners about their behaviour and attitudes about sex. Fifty-one per cent reported having had no sexual experience, while 84 per cent of those who have had sex said being in a relationship was the main reason for choosing to do so.
It found that young people are by and large able to make positive choices about sex and view attempts to teach them about sexual health through digital me-dia, texts and cartoon-style literature as patronising.
Young people told researchers they wanted to receive the majority of their information on sex through formal sex and relationships education (SRE) at school. Respondents were positive about SRE lessons at schools, with 58 per cent saying they felt they could ask any question they wanted.
But some said they rec-eived poor-quality teaching and had misgivings about confidentiality issues. Others were concerned sex education messages focus on an overly negative view of sexually active young people.
One young person told researchers: "The teacher's more embarrassed than the kids half the time." Another said: "I had a teacher who couldn't control the class and was rather incompetent. He sent me to ask for 24 condoms in front of another class. That wasn't the finest experience I've ever had."
Jules Hillier, communications director at sexual health charity Brook, said the research reinforced its disappointment SRE wasn't made statutory under the last government. "The majority of young people report the SRE they get is too little, too late and too biological," she said. "What they want is good-quality, confidential SRE with teachers who feel comfortable teaching it."
Professionals need to focus on talking to young people about sexual pleasure as well as avoiding infection, Hillier added.
A spokeswoman for sexual health charity FPA said: "SRE should be freely available to young people in the safe environment of their schools and taught to them by teaching professionals they trust."
