OVERVIEW
Sex education in India is often shrouded in taboo, misinformation, and inconsistency. Despite the existence of government policies and educational modules, discussions around sex and sexuality remain uncomfortable, especially within families. Parents, who ideally should be the primary source of information, struggle with how to approach the topic, leaving children to rely on unreliable sources like peers, social media, and pornography.
Tio is a mobile application designed to empower parents with the right tools, resources, and confidence to initiate open, age-appropriate conversations about sex and sexuality with their children.
Timeline
4 weeks
Research | Surveys |
The Problem
Sex and sexuality are fundamental aspects of human life, yet discussions around them remain largely unspoken, especially in conservative societies. Parents often want to be the primary source of knowledge for their children but struggle with when and how to initiate such conversations.
Key Challenges
Taboo & Stigma: Sex education remains highly controversial and sensitive, leading to reluctance in open discussions.
Parental Hesitation: Many parents want to educate their children but lack the right approach.
Misinformation: Unfiltered content on the internet often leads to misinterpretation and unhealthy perceptions.
Lack of Structured Guidance: Schools provide limited sex education, focusing only on biological aspects while neglecting emotional, psychological, and social dimensions.
Research & Insights
I conducted primary and secondary research, including interviews, field studies, and analysis of existing sex education initiatives.
Primary Research
Parents’ Perspective: Interviews with parents revealed hesitation and discomfort in discussing sex-related topics.
Children & Teenagers: Young boys were found to be more comfortable discussing sex among peers, while girls exhibited more reluctance.
Educational Institutions: Visited schools to understand the current curriculum and identify gaps in sex education.
Psychologists & Experts: Engaged with professionals to understand the psychological impact of sex education and communication gaps between parents and children.
Secondary Research
Sex Ed in India vs. Global Models: Compared global sex education policies, identifying that countries with comprehensive sex-ed programs saw reduced rates of STIs and teenage pregnancies.
Existing Tools & Initiatives: Analyzed tools like “Sex Chat with Pappu and Papa” and NCERT curriculum to assess effectiveness and limitations.
Key Takeaways
65%
of parents believe they should be the primary source of sex education for their children.
91%
Children’s main sources of information are social media, OTT platforms, and pornography.
Top 3
There’s a huge gender divide in comfort levels regarding discussing sex and sexuality.
46.3%
Schools lack consistency in delivering structured sex education.
The Solution – Tio Mobile Application
Key Features
Age-Specific Guidance: Structured information tailored to different age groups (7–9, 10–12, 13–17, 18+).
Interactive Learning Modules: Engaging content through quizzes, stories, and visual aids.
Conversational Prompts: Guided questions for parents to facilitate discussions naturally.
Safe & Trusted Information: Scientifically backed content verified by experts.
Privacy & Anonymity: Parents can access information without fear of judgment.
Final Screens & UI Design
The visual design prioritizes:
Playfulness & Approachability: Soft color palettes and friendly typography.
Minimalism & Readability: Simple UI to ensure ease of use for parents.
Inclusivity: Gender-neutral illustrations and diverse representation.
Testing & Feedback
Conducted usability testing with parents and experts, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback:
Parents appreciated structured guidance and found the app relieving.
Experts validated the educational approach, ensuring accuracy.
Minor UI adjustments were made based on accessibility concerns.
Visual Identity
App Name: Tio – Talk It Out
Logo: Represents communication, trust, and knowledge.
Typography: DM Sans for readability and warmth.
Color Palette: Soft yet engaging hues to appeal to different age groups.
Wireframes
Impact & Takeaways
Impact & Takeaways
Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Provided parents with a structured and comfortable way to discuss sex education.
Increased Awareness & Acceptance: Helped normalize sex education as a positive and essential discussion.
Scalable & Adaptable: Future potential to expand into books and offline workshops.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap: Provided parents with a structured and comfortable way to discuss sex education.
Increased Awareness & Acceptance: Helped normalize sex education as a positive and essential discussion.
Scalable & Adaptable: Future potential to expand into books and offline workshops.
Next Steps
Expand content to include regional languages for wider reach.
Partner with schools and educators to integrate Tio into curriculums.
Develop offline toolkits for parents with limited digital access.
Conclusion
Tio is more than just an app – it’s a movement toward open, informed, and stigma-free conversations about sex education. By empowering parents, we empower children to grow up with healthy attitudes toward relationships, consent, and sexuality.